Donald Trump Set To Endorse Mitt Romney In Las Vegas
EmailABC News’ Michael Falcone reports:
Donald Trump will endorse Mitt Romney in Las Vegas on Thursday, sources familiar with the decision tell ABC News.
A political aide in Trump’s office spoke directly with Mitt Romney by phone last night before Trump’s private plane took off from New York City to Las Vegas.
The call, sources say, was to inform Romney of Thursday’s endorsement, which will take place at a 12:30 p.m. event at the Trump International Hotel on the Las Vegas strip.
A contracting company used by the Romney campaign has been setting up for the event since Wednesday night.
Sources familiar with Trump’s thinking said that earlier reports by several news organizations of a Gingrich endorsement were inaccurate.
“I have no idea what the Donald is going to do,” Gingrich told reporters on Wednesday, adding that he had not spoken to Trump in weeks.
Ever since Trump decided not to run as a Republican candidate last spring, members of his team indicated that if Trump was going to endorse, he wanted to pick a winner. Evidently, the real estate and reality television mogul, has settled on Romney as that candidate.
In an interview on “Good Morning America” earlier this week, Trump told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that he was still deciding between Romney and Gingrich.
“I’m friendly with both. I respect both,” he said. “I like both. They both want my endorsement. We’ll see what happens but, in a very short time I’ll be making an endorsement.”
Trump’s endorsement of Romney comes on the heels of multiple discussions between members of Romney’s team and Trump’s office over the past few months. These conversations took place at the highest levels of the Romney campaign apparatus, including campaign manager Matt Rhoades.
ABC News’ Jennifer Wlach, David Muir, Jonathan Karl and Jake Tapper contributed reporting.
Best Commencement Speeches of 2012 
Joe Biden Recalls Death of Wife, Daughter
WHO CARES???? This is all a publicity stunt on his part for his tv show. His opinion means nothing at all to me. He is a rich kid who has no clue.
Posted by: pksk531 | February 2, 2012, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Orange lighting strikes again!
Posted by: sameagain | February 2, 2012, 10:59 am 10:59 am
ALL THE MORE REASON NOOOOOOOOOOOOT TO VOTE FOR HIM…….LOL……………….WHO CARES WHAT WIG HEAD THINKS??
Posted by: clownsscareme | February 2, 2012, 11:12 am 11:12 am
Big deal. One clown endorsing another. Is this what passes for news these days?
Posted by: Marlene | February 2, 2012, 11:23 am 11:23 am
Who cares? Donald Trump has as much sway in American politics as Donald Duck.
Posted by: Benjamin | February 2, 2012, 11:29 am 11:29 am
Perhaps Romney will have Donald for VP. I hope so. Pres. Obama will surely be re-elected!
What a bunch of clowns. This is the Cream of the GOP’s crop? LOL LOL
Posted by: Barb | February 2, 2012, 11:32 am 11:32 am
well, if donald’s ready to endorse him , Romney must be a bigger joke than I thought
Posted by: tim | February 2, 2012, 11:32 am 11:32 am
One 0.001%er endorsing another. Color me shocked. They’re combining forces for the big class war that’s a-comin’.
Posted by: Loren | February 2, 2012, 11:37 am 11:37 am
Rich kid who has no clue. Exactly what he is. And why we must stop these long expensive campaigns. People are bought. Even if you are honest going in, people give you money and then if you win guess what? Favors! Get rid of lobbyists. But that will never happen. This has gone on for decades. They keep bashing this president but look at the circus running! It’s a disgrace and a joke. None of them have any real ideas. Romeny has the same healthcare as this president and he is knocking him? They have no clue what it is to be poor. No job. No money. All I see is Congress both sides bickering back and forth. No matter who the president is, if they all just argue back and forth what is accomplished besides the ruining of this country?
Posted by: Barb | February 2, 2012, 11:41 am 11:41 am
Wow, now that’s impressive, probably the kiss of death for Romney. That’s just another reason not to vote for the guy. They are both phonies in love with themselves and money. Romney’s latest gaffe from yesterday “I don’t care about the poor, they have a safety net, and if it’s not working, I”ll fix it. His idea is to start having the retirees on Social Security and Medicare start paying taxes so his can be cut to zero.
Romney’s tax returns are going to be his Waterloo. Write that down. He’s hardly released anything at all, and these are 1 year’s actual and last year’s estimated taxes when he knew everyone was watching and he still paid less than half of what he should, because, unlike 98 percent of us, Romney owns a lobbyist who owns congressmen who write tax laws. Yesterday it was discovered that his kids are worth over $100 million from money that he transferred to them, money that has never been taxed. His grand kids are millionaires the day they are born. He has plenty to hide, or he wouldn’t be holding back his returns for the past 20 years. I’ll bet $10 (the equivalent of $10,000 to Romney) that there are a bunch of years in which Romney paid no tax at all and may have even received a refund. If he doesn’t release all his returns, he’s going to look like a crook who is hiding something, and there is a good possibility that there is tax evasion involved. If he releases the returns, people won’t have to wonder if he’s a crook or not. They will be able to see it for themselves.He’s in a catch 22 MILLION.
Posted by: mac the floor guy | February 2, 2012, 11:42 am 11:42 am
PKSK531 said “who cares?” – Obviously you do because you felt the need to click a link and at least read the headline before taking the time to post a comment. The more comments left and the more hits this story gets online the more stories of this caliber ABC NEWS online will bring you.
Posted by: max | February 2, 2012, 11:44 am 11:44 am
Really? Why bother using up space on this egotistical know it all who has no use but his bucks? Who cares what HE thinks? Waste of space ABC NEWS.
Posted by: janie | February 2, 2012, 11:44 am 11:44 am
“Sources familiar with Trump’s thinking….” — Wow, that must be a sad group of people. ;-)
Posted by: Working_Class | February 2, 2012, 11:44 am 11:44 am
Who is Donald Trump and why does his opinion matter on anything? As a matter of fact, endorsing Romney might do more harm to his campaign than good. Trump seems more like a Gingrich supporter. Maybe there is a method to his madness in endorsing Romney. Hmmmmmm.
Posted by: carole | February 2, 2012, 11:46 am 11:46 am
Trump > Obama. Obvious. Supporters of Obama should spend their time pondering why Obama sucks so extremely badly, instead of spitting juvenile venom at others.
Posted by: Jerseybabe | February 2, 2012, 11:51 am 11:51 am
Donald Trump; “you’re fired”. Mitt Romney; “I like to fire people”. Possible future, Romney to Trump; I just fired someone and implemented the Ryan plan that cuts 1.8 trillion from social programs. I won’t have to pay his wages; we cut the budget for his unemployment, healthcare and food stamps. Look at all the money we we’ll save. Let’s crack that bottle of 1907 Heidsieck champagne and celebrate our new factory in China.
Posted by: dan | February 2, 2012, 11:59 am 11:59 am
““Sources familiar with Trump’s thinking….” — Wow, that must be a sad group of people. ;-) ”
Posted by: Working_Class
Let me make a wild (and correct) guess: you still consider Obama to be like… an “intellectual”? Like… a bright guy? Thanks for the laughs. Next. ;-)
Posted by: Jackson | February 2, 2012, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
What criticisms of Obama has Trump made that weren’t, in fact, true. Answer: None. They were all true.
Posted by: Simplicity | February 2, 2012, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
Obama isn’t even fit to poop-scoop after Trump’s dog. Reality. Embrace it.
Posted by: Just Say No To obama | February 2, 2012, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
SIMPLICITY
The first and biggest one was that President Obama wasn’t born in the good old USA.
Posted by: tmferretti | February 2, 2012, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
… and just yesterday the news was telling us Trump was about to back Gingrich. Here’s a tip for the media, none of us care who are what that big mouth, bs artist, Trump has to say about anything. I would have thought you’d have that figured out when Trump tried to monitor a presidential debate and only Gingrich showed any interest in participating.
Posted by: Bud Simpson | February 2, 2012, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
In the final episode of “The Presidential Apprentice” said Donald Trump – Mitt Romney, you’re hired; and Newt Gingrich, you’re fired!
Posted by: Get_Down | February 2, 2012, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
The mindless wonder endorsing another mindless wonder, it’s Trump shoveling Nitmit’s sh*t all over the place with the yahoo ‘just say no to Obama’ carrying the bucket.
Posted by: neastsider | February 2, 2012, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
Jackson: Nope, I never said that nor thought that. However, Donald Trump is nowhere near an “intellectual.” He’s a man who borrows money to try to make money and then declares bankruptcy when it doesn’t work out for him and then starts the process all over again. How many times, exactly, has he declared bankruptcy? Four times now?
Posted by: Working_Class | February 2, 2012, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm
As is often the case, Tmferretti , you have to lie to try to make your silly point. He never said Obama was not born in the US — rather, he said Obama’s reluctance to definitively prove it was troubling and suspicious, which it certainly was. Wise up. Get honest.
Posted by: Simplicity | February 2, 2012, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
“How many times, exactly, has he declared bankruptcy? Four times now?”
Posted by: Working_Class
And how does that compare to Obama bankrupting the whole country? Yeah, mull that over a bit.
Posted by: Jackson | February 2, 2012, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
I still somewhat support Obama, but Trump would beat him in a debate, and maybe even in an election.
Posted by: lexingtonlady | February 2, 2012, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
America thanks you Donald! Newt has no chance against Obama. Mitt will actually have the chance to repeal ObamaCare and save our economy because he will win!
Too bad about the confusion yesterday. I thought it was pretty clear days ago that Mitt better met Trump’s criteria, especially since he has been standing up for his success better than before, etc.
Mitt 2012! #NOTNewt
Posted by: Jed | February 2, 2012, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
Predictions, anyone? Will Obama return to being a corrupt community organizer after he is defeated in Novemeber, or is that con over?
Posted by: Just Say No To obama | February 2, 2012, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
I love Donald! I wish he would have run for president. I don’t know if he would have won, but it sure would have been entertaining.
Posted by: rubblebubblecake | February 2, 2012, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
Pathetic……..just the wealthy supporting the wealthy. All that BS, about doing what’s right for the country, was just that…….BS.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | February 2, 2012, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
JACKSON: GW Bush is the person that RUINED this Nation and NONE of the LIES from the RIGHT will EVER change that TRUTH!!! Just because a pile of NITWITS from FAUX News starts a lie and the DIMWITS around this nation repeat it over and over again STILL doesn’t make it true!!
Posted by: demNme5 | February 2, 2012, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Another rich guy endorsing another rich guy….that’s not concerned about the poor.
Posted by: Bryan | February 2, 2012, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
It’s sad that the republicans would make Donald Trump the object of their affections. But let’s face it, he does represent republican values.
Posted by: tmferretti | February 2, 2012, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
Jackson: GW Bush bankrupted the country. Obama inherited that mess; albeit, he hasn’t done much to make it better….
Posted by: Working_Class | February 2, 2012, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
News flash, folks! Newt drops out of the race. Donald ditches Mitt, and enters the race. He wins and orders nuking China, North Korea and Iran. The world lives happily ever after. Heavens smile upon Donald. Donald is deemed God. The whole universe unites.
Posted by: Marat | February 2, 2012, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
WORKING_CLASS
The President has a 49% approval rating but 80% of the country likes him. A lot of the people who disapprove do so because they think he’s not been tough enough on Congress or think he can do things he can’t without Congress. It doesn’t mean they won’t vote from him, he leads the current republican candidates in every area.
If the economy continues to improve his approval ratings will get better.
Posted by: tmferretti | February 2, 2012, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm
the bailouts were done on G W bush’s watch.
Posted by: jancee | February 2, 2012, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm
“Obama inherited that mess; albeit, he hasn’t done much to make it better….”
POSTED BY: WORKING_CLASS
Yeah. Obama “inherited” a bit of the problem, and has now doubled or tripled the problem. Worse than misguided and lame on Obama’s part, very obviously.
Posted by: No More Obama | February 3, 2012, 9:09 am 9:09 am
To follow up a bit, or summerise, naturally no one knows what will happen, and I still have serious doubts that Obama can win. But as an older gay man who receives a government check, I will be voting for Obama no matter what.
Posted by: tmferretti | February 3, 2012, 9:12 am 9:12 am
Trump’s endorsement? kiss of death
Posted by: blablabla | February 10, 2012, 11:35 am 11:35 am
The Republicans see another side of Romney: he can’t beat Obama
Posted by: blablabla | February 10, 2012, 11:39 am 11:39 am
Santorum or Gingrich is another option
Posted by: blablabla | February 10, 2012, 11:40 am 11:40 am
Romney can only win in states where Mormons live becuase they are close to him. His momentum has died down in other states
Posted by: blablabla | February 10, 2012, 11:45 am 11:45 am
The Repblicans wanted to nominate Romney because he is rich and they hope he can raise a lot of money. He could raise money, allright, but his records are far from good. They may have to drop him for Santorum or Gingrich.
Posted by: blablabla | February 10, 2012, 11:50 am 11:50 am
The Republicans want to nominate Romney because he is rich and can raise a lot of money. He did raise a lot of money but his records are too far from good. They may have to drop him for Santorum or Gingrich. Tough choice!
Posted by: blablabla | February 10, 2012, 11:53 am 11:53 am