“As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth,” Rice said. | AP Photo
Add former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s name to the growing list of Republicans calling for Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race.
Rice, who first served as the national security adviser to President George W. Bush before becoming secretary of state, wrote on her official Facebook page Saturday that the Manhattan billionaire should drop his campaign to be president in light of his most recent scandal.
“Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw,” she wrote. “As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth.”
The former secretary of state’s comments came amid the Trump campaign’s latest crisis, which began Friday afternoon when The Washington Post published a clip of Trump speaking into a hot mic and making incredibly vulgar comments about women. In the 2005 clip, the Manhattan billionaire says that he “did try and f–k” a married woman by taking her furniture shopping and suggested that his celebrity status allowed him to sexually assault with impunity.
“When you’re a star they let you do it,” Trump can be heard saying on the tape. “Grab them by the p—y. You can do anything.”
By rebuking her party’s presidential nominee, Rice joined a large and growing list of Republicans who have distanced themselves from Trump. That group includes Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah). Others from outside Capitol Hill include conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt and former GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina.
Despite calls from some to leave the Republican ticket, Trump has defiantly insisted on pressing onward with the campaign. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal Saturday, Trump said “I never, ever give up.”
