Former President Donald J. Trump responded on Wednesday to Utah Senator Mitt Romney’s recent announcement that he will not seek re-election for his Senate seat in 2024.
“FANTASTIC NEWS FOR AMERICA, THE GREAT STATE OF UTAH, & FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “MITT ROMNEY, SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS PIERRE DELECTO, WILL NOT BE SEEKING A SECOND TERM IN THE U.S. SENATE, WHERE HE DID NOT SERVE WITH DISTINCTION. A BIG PRIMARY FIGHT AGAINST HIM WAS IN THE OFFING, BUT NOW THAT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY. CONGRATS TO ALL. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump’s remarks are a response to a video Romney released on Twitter on Wednesday. In contradiction to suggestions that the Utah senator might one day defect to Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban, Romney announced his intentions to retire from politics as he enters his twilight years.
“At the end of another term, I’d be in my mid-80s. Frankly, it’s time for a new generation of leaders,” Romney said in his announcement. “They’re the ones that need to make the decisions that will shape the world they will be living in. Now, we face critical challenges, mounting national debt, climate change, and the ambitious authoritarians of Russia and China.”
Romney’s critique of both President Biden and former President Trump was sharp during his announcement. He criticized their handling of significant challenges such as the national debt, climate change, and threats from countries like Russia and China.
“Both men refuse to address entitlements, even though they know that this represents two-thirds of federal spending. Donald Trump calls global warming a hoax, and President Biden offers feel-good solutions that make no difference to the global climate,” Romney said.
Romney’s political journey has been significant. He vied for the Republican nomination for President in 2008 and 2012, clinching it in the latter attempt. After his 2012 defeat, he transitioned back to the private sector but remained influential in national politics.