Will Romney challenge Trump in 2020?
Could the GOP's last two presidential nominees go head-to-head in 2020?
After Senator-elect Mitt Romney wrote an op-ed critical of President Trump on Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that the idea of a Republican challenging Trump in 2020 has "suddenly turned more serious," whether that challenger be former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley or Romney himself.
One Republican financier said that prominent Romney donors are making clear that they're ready to throw their support behind him should he decide to run, and Romney allies "have been talking up Romney 2020 for months behind the scenes" and are "hoping to stoke interest and lay the political groundwork for him."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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.
Romney, who hasn't even officially started his new Senate job yet, has not signaled that he might run against Trump and apparently hasn't been involved in this behind-the-scenes 2020 chatter. In fact, he suggested in June 2018 that the president probably has the 2020 nomination locked up, predicting that he will be "re-nominated by my party easily" and will be "re-elected solidly," per Politico.
Still, a lot may change in 2019, and former White House strategist Stephen Bannon apparently sees Romney's recent op-ed as the beginning of a movement to challenge Trump from the right, simply telling The Post, "It begins."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Toast to great drinks and gorgeous views at these 7 rooftop bars
The Week Recommends Elevate your typical night out
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Sudoku hard: February 24, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: February 24, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mitch McConnell won't seek reelection
Speed Read The longest-serving Senate party leader is retiring
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump reportedly wants to take over US Postal Service
Speed Read President Trump is making plans to disband the leadership of USPS and absorb the agency into his administration
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump seeks to end New York's congestion pricing
Speed Read The MTA quickly filed a lawsuit to stop the move
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump officials try to reverse DOGE-led firings
Speed Read Mass firings by Elon Musk's team have included employees working on the H5N1 bird flu epidemic and US nuclear weapons programs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames Ukraine for war after US-Russia talks
Speed Read The US and Russia have agreed to work together on ending the Ukraine war — but President Trump has flipped America's approach
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Musk's DOGE seeks access to IRS, Social Security files
Speed Read If cleared, the Department of Government Efficiency would have access to tax returns, bank records and other highly personal information about most Americans
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Senate confirms RFK Jr. as health secretary
Speed Read The noted vaccine skeptic is now in charge of America's massive public health system
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump lays out plans for broad 'reciprocal' tariffs
Speed Read Tariffs imposed on countries that are deemed to be treating the US unfairly could ignite a global trade war and worsen American inflation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published