Mitt Romney did not vote for Donald Trump after calling president ‘dangerous’

Utah Republican last week criticized president for refusal to denounce QAnon conspiracy theory

Mitt Romney, the lone Republican senator to vote for Donald Trump’s removal, did not vote for him to win a second term.

The Utah lawmaker’s office confirmed his vote to media outlets, but did not say whether Mr Romney voted for Democratic nominee Joe Biden or wrote in his own choice to be commander in chief come January.

Mr Romney, his party’s 2016 presidential nominee, has been sharply critical of some of Mr Trump’s actions and statements since taking office.

Just last week, the president would not denounce the QAnon conspiracy theory during a town hall hosted by NBC News.

"I know nothing about QAnon," Mr Trump said when she asked him about the conspiracy theory and its followers, who believe a cabal of politicians and celebrities work together and with governments around the globe to sexually abuse children and worship Satan. They also believe there is a “deep state” plot to oust Mr Trump, and that he is working hard to terminate their pedophilic ways.

"I just told you," Ms Guthrie responded.

"What you tell me doesn't necessarily make it fact," the president shot back.

"I know nothing about it," Mr Trump claimed. "That was a retweet – that was an opinion of somebody. And that was a retweet. I'll put it out there. People can decide for themselves."

The NBC News anchor was not impressed: "I don't get that. You're the president. You're not like someone's crazy uncle who can retweet whatever."

That prompted a strongly worded statement from Mr Romney, posted on Twitter.

“The president’s unwillingness to denounce an absurd and dangerous conspiracy theory last night continues an alarming pattern: politicians and parties refuse to forcefully and convincingly repudiate groups like antifa, white supremacists and conspiracy peddlers,” Mr Romney said.