The Republican nominee for President of The United States, Donald Trump, has been caught on video bragging about sexually assaulting women.
In the video, Trump says that if you are famous “you can do anything” to women, including “grab them by the pussy.”
Trump also said that, when he saw a beautiful woman, he didn’t seek permission before getting physical. “I don’t even wait,” he said.
This has prompted a reaction from many of the Republican politicians who have endorsed Trump. In statements, various Republican elected officials have condemned Trump’s comments.
They used words like “unacceptable,” “offensive,” and “disturbing.” These statements seem warranted but also obvious.
John Weaver, a Republican strategist, put a point on it.
All these statements are strong, thoughtful, carefully written. But do they still support Trump? That is the question. The only question.
— John Weaver (@JWGOP) October 8, 2016
For the Republicans below, who include some of the most prominent members of the party, the answer to that question is: Yes, they still support Donald Trump.
Despite their protestations that Trump’s comments are “unacceptable,” they are willing to accept them from their choice to be the next president.
House Speaker Paul Ryan is “sickened” by Trump and is still supporting Trump for president
https://twitter.com/SabrinaSiddiqui/status/784560473651970052
John McCain finds Trump’s comments “offensive and demeaning” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/HallieJackson/status/784561132279328773
Marco Rubio calls Trump’s remarks “vulgar, egregious and impossible to justify” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/784566254271094788
Rob Portman, the Republican Senator from Ohio, says Trump’s remarks are “offensive and wrong” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/HenryJGomez/status/784524548951728128
Kelly Ayotte, the Republican Senator from New Hampshire, calls Trump’s remarks “totally inappropriate” and “offensive” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/WMUR9/status/784538847082377220
Richard Burr says Trump’s comments were “completely unacceptable” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/frankthorp/status/784536475773837313
Pat Toomey, Republican Senator from Pennsylvania, describes Trump’s comments as “outrageous and unacceptable” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/PatToomey/status/784547845370212352
Ted Cruz, Republican Senator from Texas, says Trump’s comments are “disturbing and inappropriate” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/784567958525927426
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy think Trump should issue a “full and unqualified apology” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/TheAPJournalist/status/784569057932697600
Joe Heck, Republican candidate for Senate in Nevada, said Trump’s remarks were “disgraceful” and is still supporting Trump for president.
https://twitter.com/seungminkim/status/784568689416933376
The one exception is former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, who withdrew his endorsement and called for Trump to drop out.