Mitt Romney's Decision on 2024 Reelection, Resignation or Not | Fact Check

BREAKING: Mitt Romney has announced he will not seek reelection in 2024, but there is no resignation.

In a recent social media post that garnered over 150 shares in less than 24 hours, a claim circulated stating that Mitt Romney had resigned in disgrace. The post referred to Romney as a "RINO," or Republican In Name Only, insinuating that he had abandoned his party. However, this claim is false and misleading.

In reality, Mitt Romney did not resign from his position. Instead, he announced that he would not be seeking reelection in 2024. Romney, who has served as a Utah senator since 2018, made this announcement through a nearly three-minute video posted on a social media platform called X, formerly known as Twitter, on September 13.

In the video, Romney explained his decision by stating that after spending 25 years in public service, he believed it was time for a new generation of leaders to step forward. He also took the opportunity to criticize both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, accusing them of lacking leadership in addressing important issues such as the national debt and authoritarianism in China and Russia.

Despite his decision not to seek reelection, Romney made it clear that he would continue to fulfill his duties as a senator until January 2025. He emphasized that he was not retiring from the fight and would remain committed to serving the American people.

It is important to note that there have been no official resignation announcements from Mitt Romney on his website or social media pages. Furthermore, reputable news outlets, including USA TODAY, the Associated Press, and the Washington Post, reported on Romney's decision regarding his reelection but did not mention any potential resignation.

This is not the first time false claims have circulated about Mitt Romney. In the past, there have been debunked rumors suggesting that Romney threatened to leave the Republican party and become a Democrat, that there were efforts to recall him in Utah, and that he made controversial statements about white nationalists.

In an attempt to verify the accuracy of the claim, USA TODAY reached out to the individual who shared the post but did not receive a response at the time of reporting.

In conclusion, the claim that Mitt Romney has resigned in disgrace is false. Romney has simply announced that he will not seek reelection in 2024, and he will continue to serve as a senator until January 2025. It is crucial to rely on accurate information from reputable sources and to be cautious of misleading claims circulating on social media.