Romney: Trump’s ‘unwillingness’ to decry conspiracy theories is part of ‘alarming pattern’

Sen. Mitt Romney said Friday President Donald Trump’s “unwillingness to denounce the “absurd and dangerous conspiracy theory continues an alarming pattern” that may eventually lead to “eclipse” both Republicans and Democrats.

On Thursday night, NBC Town Hall moderator Savannah Guthrie asked President Donald Trump if he would “disavow QAnon in its entirety.” Trump said “I know nothing about QAnon,” adding, “I do know they are very much against pedophilia.”

QAnon followers believe Trump is trying to expose a cabal of “deep state” saboteurs who worship Satan and traffic children for sex. Trump has previously said he doesn’t know about the conspiracy theory.

Romney released the following statement Friday:

The President’s unwillingness to denounce an absurd and dangerous conspiracy theory last night continues an alarming pattern: politicians and parties refuse to forcefully and convincingly repudiate groups like Antifa, white supremacist’s, and conspiracy peddlers. Similarly troubling is their silence regarding anti-vaxxers, militias and anarchists.

Rather than expel the rabid fringes and the extremes, they had coddled or adopted them, eagerly trading their principles for the hope of electoral victories. As the parties rush down a rabbit hole, they may be opening a door to political movement that could eventually eclipse them both.

Last week, Romney said he’s “troubled by our politics” which have “moved away from spirited debate” to a “hate-filled morass that is unbecoming of any free nation.”

Romney posted the following statement on Twitter:

I have stayed quiet with the approach of the election. But I’m troubled by our politics, as it has moved away from spirited debate to a vile, vituperative, hate-filled morass that is unbecoming of any free nation – let alone the birthplace of modern democracy.

The president calls the Democratic vice presidential candidate “a monster.” He calls for the justice department to put the prior president in jail; he attacks the governor of Michigan on the very day a plot is discovered to kidnap her. Democrats launch blistering attacks of their own—though their presidential nominee refuses to stoop as low as others. Pelosi tears up the president’s states of the union speech on national television. Keith Olbermann calls the president a “terrorist.” Media on the left and the right amplify all of it.

The rabid attacks kindle the conspiracy mongers and the haters who take the small and predictable step from intemperate word to dangerous action. The world is watching America with abject horror; more consequentially, our children are watching. Many Americans are frightened for our country—so divided, so angry, so mean, so violent.

It is time to lower the heat. Leaders must tone it down. Leaders from the top and leaders from all stripes: parents, bosses, reporters, columnists, professors, union chiefs, everyone. The consequences of the crescendo of anger leads to a very bad place. No sane person can want that.

Romney has not endorsed a candidate for president.