Trump Sources Say Kellyanne Conway ‘Went Rogue’ Attacking Mitt Romney

Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 09:36 pm

MSNBC’s Morning Joe is reported that “two sources at the top of the Trump transition team confirmed to MSNBC that they spoke to the president-elect today and that Donald Trump was ‘furious’ at Kellyanne Conway’s comments on Sunday suggesting Trump betrayed his supporters by even considering Mitt Romney for a position in his cabinet.”

Conway had launched a Thanksgiving morning twitter attack on Romney and doubled down on Sunday, telling CNN’s Dana Bash on State of the Union that she was speaking as a “concerned citizen” and that,

“I’m all for party unity, but I’m not sure we have to pay for that with the secretary of state position. I’m hearing from people who say, ‘Hey, my parents died penniless but I gave $216 to Donald Trump’s campaign and I would feel betrayed [if Romney is nominated].’â€

Outspoken Trump critic Ana Navarro expressed her own dismay yesterday via Twitter and Conway defended herself, calling “grassroots resistance” to Romney “breathtaking.”

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Watch the discussion on Morning Joe courtesy of MSNBC:

“Kellyanne went rogue at Donald Trump’s expense at the worst possible time, a source familiar with Trump’s thinking said.”

Trump’s top aides were “baffled by Conway’s comments” and it was suggested that rather than “instead of driving Donald Trump’s message she’s pushing her own agenda.” Both Bannon and Priebus are concerned, we are told.

Joe Scarborough was speechless. The New York Times‘ Jeremy Peters says this latest “Conwayism” was “indiscreet” but does reflect genuine concern within the Trump camp. The fear, according to Peters, is that Romney “and his allies” would operate completely independently from the White House.

Conway’s criticisms are ironic, to say the least, given her earlier statement recorded by Fox News that “Donald Trump is somebody who commands loyalty and shows loyalty to those around him.”

Yet here is Conway not only trying to “box” Trump in, as Scarborough points out but also suggesting that Trump would be “weak” enough to let the State Department go rogue under Romney’s leadership. According to Scarborough, this is a case of sour grapes as Conway hasn’t been offered the position she wanted in Trump’s administration.

It is no surprise controversy is surrounding every moment of Trump’s transition. It has been a train-wreck from Day One, but it is remarkable that Conway of all people should be at the center of the controversy by speaking out so very publicly at Donald Trump’s expense and over a pick so critical to the success of Trump’s upcoming administration.



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