'This can't continue': GOP heavyweights denounce Trump's remarks about women

The release of graphic remarks Donald Trump made about women in 2005 has thrown the GOP into tumult, with multiple big-name Republicans denouncing Trump's comments, retracting their endorsements, or even calling on him to step out of the presidential race.

Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, released a statement Saturday saying he is "offended" by Trump's remarks and cannot defend them, but will remain on the ticket. House Speaker Paul Ryan called Trump's words "sickening" and uninvited the candidate from a scheduled joint event in his home state of Wisconsin. Trump faced particular backlash from Utah Republicans: Utah Sen. Mike Lee told Trump to drop out, while Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz took back their endorsements.

A host of other Republican heavyweights including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, and Sen. Kelly Ayotte also condemned Trump's words. Nevertheless, the Republican National Committee denied a New York Times report that party leadership is meeting "to discuss what options the party has going forward in case Trump isn't the nominee."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Watch's Lee's demand for Trump to exit the race below. "This can't continue," he says. "It's time for us not to settle. It's time for us to expect more."

This post has been updated throughout.