President Donald Trump and former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney had a "wonderful conversation" on the phone Tuesday night, presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway said Wednesday, despite former strategist Steve Bannon's slams on Romney over his lack of military service.
"They had a wonderful conversation, according to President Trump," Conway told CNN's "New Day" anchor Chris Cuomo, during an often-contentious interview.
"They discussed, among other things, what President Trump did the day before in Utah with the national monuments, and talking about historic tax cuts and the like."
She also denied that Trump had sent Bannon, who Cuomo referred to as the president's "pit bull" to Alabama to stump for Senate GOP candidate Roy Moore.
During a fiery speech, Bannon, now the executive chairman for Breitbart News, accused Romney of ducking military service, saying he "hid behind" his religion rather than serving in the Vietnam War.
He also called out Romney's sons for not serving in wars in the Middle East.
Conway said she would not tell Cuomo the contents of the full conversation, including whether or not Trump apologized to Romney for Bannon's statements.
"I am not sure the president was aware of that, because we, the president and the first lady, stood in line for three hours taking pictures with members of Congress and their spouses and the Cabinet," said Conway.
"They spoke about a number of different things," said Conway. "The only endorsement that mattered in the Alabama race, the one that mattered the most in the race is the president's because after he came out against Doug Jones, and none of you want to say the nine letters, that God forbid people know what he's about."
Conway also defended Trump's decision to endorse Moore, despite the accusations he's facing of sexual misconduct with several women while they were in their teens.
"The President has tremendous moral standards," she said. "He doesn't want a liberal Democrat representing Alabama in the U.S. Senate."
She also called Cuomo's question a "hypothetical" when he asked if Trump would support Romney, should he choose to seek Sen. Orrin Hatch's seat.
"I didn't see Gov. Romney file papers for Orrin Hatch's seat," Conway said. "The president — as he did with Luther Strange who he supports — he was supporting an incumbent Republican. A reliable vote for their share."
But when asked if Trump would support Romney should Hatch decide not to run, Conway accused Cuomo of asking her hypothetical questions.
"You said they have a great relationship," he replied. "Why wouldn't I assume the answer would be yes?
Conway noted that Moore's lead in the polls jumped after Trump came out and "said he doesn't want a liberal in the Senate."
Conway also said she sees "hypocrisy" between the allegations about Moore and those against Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken."
"Let me tell you the hypocrisy we see at every turn," she said. "Al Franken is in the Senate right now. He has admitted this. In front of a glowing audience…"
"He admitted what?" said Cuomo. "That he took a stupid photo. That's what he admits. He doesn't admit that he sexually assaulted somebody."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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