Trump's Access Hollywood tape reportedly triggered talks of swapping him with Mike Pence on the ticket


President Trump was apparently only concerned about losing one supporter after his Access Hollywood tape leaked.
Sure, then-House Speaker Paul Ryan said he couldn't "defend" then-candidate Trump after the horrendous audio was published, and a slew of other GOP lawmakers withdrew their support. But Vice President Mike Pence, then just Trump's running mate, worried Trump by "cutting himself off from the outside world" for days — and spent that time seriously considering dropping his name from the ticket altogether, Politico's Tim Alberta reports for his forthcoming book American Carnage.
A recording of Trump making lewd comments about women aired just a month before Election Day 2016 and just two days before the second presidential debate, sending Trump's team into a frenzy to clean up the mess. Ryan promptly disinvited Trump from a Wisconsin political rally, and, as Alberta reports, asked then-RNC Chair Reince Priebus "how can you get him out of the race?" Priebus knew that wasn't possible, but he still reportedly met with Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to discuss swapping Trump and Pence on the GOP ticket.
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.
Trump, meanwhile, largely only felt regret for "disappointing the Pences" with his remarks, Alberta writes. Pence "bunkered down" in Indiana with his wife, whom he reportedly calls "Mother," after hearing the news, and told his advisers he "wasn't sure he could continue with the campaign," Alberta continues. Trump later called Pence to explain the situation, and upon hanging up, reportedly said "Mother is not going to like this."
Karen Pence didn't, telling her husband "she would no longer appear in public if he carried on as Trump's running mate," Alberta writes. Read more at Politico.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Uttar Pradesh: from a once-in-a-generation festival to tiger tracking in an ancient forest
The Week Recommends Soak up the state's rich culture on one of Explorations Company's specially curated tours
-
The Week Unwrapped: Could AI replace catwalk models?
Podcast Plus, should countries sue each other for climate damage? And what does Grand Theft Auto 6 tell us about the video game industry?
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Robot kickboxing, milk for a god, and more
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein
-
Judge halts GOP defunding of Planned Parenthood
Speed Read The Trump administration can't withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, said the ruling
-
Trump contradicts Israel, says 'starvation' in Gaza
Speed Read The president suggests Israel could be doing more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets