“Trump Is an Impulsive Idiot,” Blasts Mitch McConnell in Mitt Romney Book

William FurneyOct 18, 2023

Minute Read

Mitt Romney is not holding back in his criticism of former president Donald Trump — even if they’re not exactly his words. The Utah senator quotes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as essentially saying Trump is a fool.

Candid Conversation

A conversation between Romney and McConnell shortly before Trump was impeached for the first time also revealed McConnell’s disdain for Trump, although all three men are Republicans. That’s according to a new biography of McConnell by journalist McKay Coppins, Romney: A Reckoning.

Contentious Claim

Image Credit: Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.

Romney, who previously ran for the presidency and retires from the Senate next year, told the journalist that McConnell told him that Trump was an “idiot” who “doesn’t think when he says things” — insults that are not likely to go down well with the former president.

Romney Impeachment Vote

Romney was the only Republican to vote in 2019 to impeach Donald Trump for alleged abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. While Trump was convicted, by 230 votes to 197, he was acquitted by the Senate the following year.

Historical Second Impeachment

Trump was impeached a second time in 2021, just days before his first term ended. He failed to get re-elected, having lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden. That led to deadly rioting at the US Capitol after Trump called on his supporters to gather there and voice their frustration at a vote he falsely claimed was “stolen” from him.

Another Senate Acquittal

Image Credit: Thomas Hengge / Shutterstock.

Trump became the first president to be impeached twice after being convicted for “incitement of insurrection” relating to the Capitol rioting. He was acquitted again by the Senate, however.

McConnell: Trump Ally or Not?

Excerpts of Romney’s biography published in The Atlantic magazine reveal that the senator often found himself wondering if McConnell was actually a Trump supporter or if he just didn’t like the 45th president at all.

Discovering the McConnell Truth

Editorial credit: Steve Sykes / Shutterstock.

In chats with McConnell, Romney found out that the Senate minority leader was all too willing to bash billionaire property mogul Trump. “How stupid do you have to be to not realize that you shouldn’t attack your jurors?” McConnell told Romney of Trump, according to the biography and referring to Trump’s frequent attacks on people by using social media.

Romney In a ‘Lucky’ Position

The book also says that McConnell believed Romney was in a “lucky” position because he was able to “say the things that we all think” about former president Trump.

‘Silenced’ on Trump

Image Credit: danielfela / Shutterstock.com

Romney says in the biography that he recalls McConnell telling him that many in the Republican party were either afraid to speak their minds on Trump or were silenced.

“You’re in a position to say things about him that we all agree with but can’t say,” Romney says McConnell told him.

McConnell Denial

Image Credit: Consolidated News Photos / Shutterstock.

The Atlantic, which ran excerpts from the book, reached out to a spokesperson for McConnell to confirm his remarks and was told McConnell didn’t remember saying them.

Trump Gearing Up Again

Trump is aiming to return to the White House following his 2020 loss to Biden, and is currently leading the field of Republican candidates for the party’s nomination for the 2024 presidential election. He has about 60% of voter support, according to recent polls, compared to 10% and less for rivals.

A Romney Blockbuster?

The new biography of Romney paints the senator in a glowing light and says he is a politician who stands up for his principles and is not afraid to criticize people like Trump, however powerful. It is certain to make for riveting reading on both sides of the political aisle as well as with ordinary voters.

‘Standing Up for What’s Right’

An extract from the book’s blurb reads: “Few figures in American politics have seen more and said less than Mitt Romney. An outspoken dissident in Donald Trump’s GOP, he has made headlines in recent years for standing alone against the forces he believes are poisoning the party he once led. Romney was the first senator in history to vote to remove from office a president of his own party.”

Stepping Down

Romney, 76, has announced he will not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024, instead retiring in 2025 after one term in office.

“At the end of another term I’d be in my mid-80s. Frankly, it’s time for a new generation of leaders,” he said. “While I’m not running for reelection, I’m not retiring from the fight.”

Romney’s Millions

Before being elected to the Senate in 2019, Romney, whose father was Michigan governor and he himself went on to become Massachusetts governor, made millions in the private equity sector.