WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Donald Trump backers are none too pleased with Republicans who have pulled support from the GOP nominee after a leaked video emerged Friday showing Trump making lewd comments about the benefits of being a celebrity when it comes to wooing women.
Since the video emerged Friday, a number of high-profile Republicans have been pulling support, including many U.S. senators, congressmen and governors. However, Trump is continuing to hold onto many longtime supporters, such as Rep. Lou Barletta, who told the Washington Examiner that those who are pulling support are making a “big mistake.”
“I think they’re making a big mistake,” Barletta said prior to his Monday evening rally. “To open the way or pave the way or make it easier for Hillary Clinton to become president because of something Donald Trump said 10 years ago and allow her to make Supreme Court picks that’ll affect our country for 30 or 40 years, that affects my grandchildren. That’s what I went to Washington for, and yes, I do think they are making a big mistake.
“Not only am I not wavering, I’m fighting even harder,” Barletta said. “I’m supporting Donald Trump and I’m not going to back down from that support.”
Earlier Monday, House Speaker Paul Ryan told the House Republican Conference that he will no longer defend the GOP nominee and will not campaign with him ahead of election day. Ryan was initially scheduled to campaign with him in Wisconsin on Saturday, but cancelled Trump’s appearance after the tape emerged.
In the tape, Trump made the inappropriate remarks to then-“Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush, telling him that celebrities can do “whatever you want” to women.
Rep. Tom Marino, who was the first House member to support Trump’s candidacy in late February, simply said that he doesn’t want to hear anyone talk about the remarks anymore. He also said that he is “disappointed” with those who have pulled back their support.
“I don’t want to hear anybody talking about it anymore,” Marino said. “That was 11 years ago. You don’t want me to get started on Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
“I’m not going to tell them what to do and what not to do. I’m disappointed. It’s a small handful. It’s blowing up to be a majority and, by far, it’s not even close to several dozen. After he’s elected president, I think those guys will be coming around to say, ‘Hey Tom — hey Lou, do you need anything?'”
As for the call with Ryan, Marino said he “wasn’t on it.”
Supporters in attendance for Trump’s rally at the Mohegan Sun Arena in northeast Pennsylvania expressed their disappointment with Trump, particularly with Ryan after his on-and-off relationship with the GOP nominee since May.
“I’m not a fan of the speaker anymore,” said Peter Cammarata, 40 from Parsippany, N.J., who had harsher words for those who have yanked support in recent days. “I think they should step down from office. I think they should support the nominee even if they don’t agree with him. That’s the one difference between Republicans and the Democrats — they stick together no matter what. Our party is divided.”
