Media mogul Oprah Winfrey pitched to Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) a presidential run in 2020, with the intent being to stop former President Donald Trump's reelection, according to a new book.
Romney revealed to McKay Coppins, author of the book Romney: A Reckoning, that Winfrey had suggested the run in order "to save the country," according to a source familiar with the manuscript. Winfrey's reported suggestion came after Romney had run for president in the 2012 election with Paul Ryan as his vice presidential candidate but lost to President Barack Obama.
BIDEN CLOSED Q3 WITH MORE CASH ON HAND THAN ENTIRE GOP FIELD
The Utah senator had dismissed the idea of running, as he thought doing so would unintentionally help Trump win the 2020 election. The suggestion from Winfrey was never meant to be serious, according to a source familiar with her thinking.
The new book is based on a multitude of interviews that Romney has done and also features a look into his diary and journal entries. Coppins said he had interviewed Romney for two years for the book, during which he was told stories about the Senate that were both "extraordinary and damning."
For two years, I met with Mitt Romney in his DC townhome as he grappled with what his party—and his country—were becoming. The stories he told me from inside the Senate were extraordinary and damning.
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) September 13, 2023
ROMNEY: A RECKONING is out next month. First excerpt: https://t.co/khdW2iafq0
Romney: A Reckoning is scheduled to release on Oct. 24.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The revelation in the new book comes after Romney announced in September that he would not seek a second term as senator, calling for a “new generation of leaders” to take the helm. Currently, the Republicans running for Romney's seat are Mayor Trent Staggs of Riverton, Utah, and state House Speaker Brad Wilson.
Prior to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death last month, Winfrey was considered a possible candidate to fill her seat if Feinstein were to resign due to health problems. However, Winfrey's spokesperson said that she "is not considering the seat should it become vacant." Feinstein's seat was instead given to Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA).