President Trump endorsed Mitt Romney in the Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) on Monday night, despite reportedly urging Hatch to run for reelection to block Romney out.
“He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @OrrinHatch, and has my full support and endorsement!” Trump tweeted.
.@MittRomney has announced he is running for the Senate from the wonderful State of Utah. He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @OrrinHatch, and has my full support and endorsement!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 20 February 2018
Thank you Mr. President for the support. I hope that over the course of the campaign I also earn the support and endorsement of the people of Utah.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) 20 February 2018
Trump and Romney have had a complicated relationship. The 2012 GOP presidential nominee was a frequent critic during Trump’s own presidential campaign.
In March of 2016, Romney said he would have refused Trump’s endorsement four years earlier if he had known the real estate mogul’s true colors.