Changes

==Anti-Trump activism==

==Anti-Trump activism==

{{See also|Opposition to Donald Trump}}

{{See also|Opposition to Donald Trump}}

Romney joined the [[Never Trump movement]] during the 2016 presidential election, harshly insulting and criticizing GOP presidential candidate for his conservative America First positions and his anti-establishment posture.<ref name="Pandey">Pandey, Erica (January 2, 2018). [https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-mitt-romney-relationship-timeline-2521893434.html Timeline: Trump and Romney's tumultuous relationship]. ''Axios''. Retrieved January 3, 2018.</ref> This was despite him begging Trump for his endorsement in the previous election.<ref name="Pandey"/> After the election, Romney pretended his insults never took place and flattered the president-elect as he unsuccessfully tried to become Trump's Secretary of State.<ref>Spiering, Charlie (November 30, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/11/30/mitt-romney-flip-flops-donald-trump-won-gives-hope-americas-future/ Mitt Romney Flip-Flops: Donald Trump Won, Gives Me Hope For America’s Future]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 3, 2018.</ref> However, with his efforts having failed, Romney reverted to the anti-Trump position he took in 2016, criticizing Trump for his politically incorrect comments as well as criticizing [[conservative]] [[Roy Moore]] in the general election against a far-left Democrat.<ref name="Pandey"/>

Romney joined the [[Never Trump movement]] during the 2016 presidential election, harshly insulting and criticizing GOP presidential candidate for his conservative America First positions and his anti-establishment posture.<ref name="Pandey">Pandey, Erica (January 2, 2018). [https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-mitt-romney-relationship-timeline-2521893434.html Timeline: Trump and Romney's tumultuous relationship]. ''Axios''. Retrieved January 3, 2018.</ref> This was despite him begging Trump for his endorsement in the previous election.<ref name="Pandey"/> He called Trump "a fraud, a phony," and a lier, even though Romney himself flip-flopped on numerous political issues.<ref name="7Highlights">Mason, Ian (February 19, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/19/as-mitt-romney-sets-sights-on-the-senate-7-highlights-of-his-post-defeat-days/ As Mitt Romney Sets Sights on the Senate: 7 Highlights of His Post-Defeat Days]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 20, 2018.</ref> Romney also criticized Trump for not releasing his tax returns even though Trump defended Romney in 2012 for not releasing his own tax returns.<ref name="7Highlights"/>

 

After the election, Romney pretended his insults never took place and flattered the president-elect as he unsuccessfully tried to become Trump's Secretary of State.<ref name="7Highlights"/><ref>Spiering, Charlie (November 30, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/11/30/mitt-romney-flip-flops-donald-trump-won-gives-hope-americas-future/ Mitt Romney Flip-Flops: Donald Trump Won, Gives Me Hope For America’s Future]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 3, 2018.</ref> However, with his efforts having failed, Romney reverted to the anti-Trump position he took in 2016, criticizing Trump for his politically incorrect comments as well as criticizing [[conservative]] [[Roy Moore]] in the general election against a far-left Democrat.<ref name="Pandey"/> In August 2017, Romney effectively endorsed the [[Antifa]], a violent left-wing hate group.<ref name="7Highlights"/>

In January 2018, Romney used [[Martin Luther King, Jr. Day]] to attack President Trump.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (January 15, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/15/mitt-romney-uses-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day-bash-donald-trump/ Mitt Romney Uses Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to Attack Donald Trump]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 15, 2018.</ref><ref>Chakraborty, Barnini (January 15, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/15/romney-takes-swipe-at-trump-over-s-hole-comments-race-relations.html Romney takes swipe at Trump over 's---hole' comments, race relations]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 15, 2018.</ref>

In January 2018, Romney used [[Martin Luther King, Jr. Day]] to attack President Trump.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (January 15, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/15/mitt-romney-uses-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day-bash-donald-trump/ Mitt Romney Uses Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to Attack Donald Trump]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 15, 2018.</ref><ref>Chakraborty, Barnini (January 15, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/15/romney-takes-swipe-at-trump-over-s-hole-comments-race-relations.html Romney takes swipe at Trump over 's---hole' comments, race relations]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 15, 2018.</ref>