Sen. Mike Lee wishes Trump was still president, but didn’t endorse him for 2024

Aug 23, 2023, 12:58 PM | Updated: 7:01 pm

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee is pictured at a town hall question and answer session in Lehi, Utah,...

AUGUST 23, 2023: At a town hall question and answer session in Lehi, Utah, Sen. Mike Lee admitted that he wished former President Trump was still president, but he did not endorse the former president. (Lindsay Aerts, KSL NewsRadio)

(Lindsay Aerts, KSL NewsRadio)

BY LINDSAY AERTS

Former Anchor/Producer/Reporter

LEHI, UT — Sen. Mike Lee, R-UT, wishes that former President Donald Trump was still president. However, at a town hall meeting in Lehi on Wednesday he stopped short of endorsing Trump in his run to take the White House in 2024.

At the town hall question and answer session, Sen. Lee was pressed on his support of the now four-time indicted former president, who he famously compared to a Book of Mormon hero named Captain Moroni. He was also asked why he hasn’t publicly denounced Trump’s actions.

A man asks about @SenMikeLee support of President Trump and comparing him to a Book of Mormon hero.

Lee’s answer: I wish Trump was still president. And he talks about future support.@kslnewsradio #utpol pic.twitter.com/D9zfNGtABw

— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) August 23, 2023

“Are you prepared to defend Donald Trump and want him to be our next president?” was part of the man’s question. “If so, how can you defend his dishonest and criminal actions during his entire life?”

In his response, Lee didn’t address whether he still supports Trump given the 91 charges against him. While trying to make the case that an America led by President Joe Biden has left people dealing with out-of-control inflation, audience members interrupted him, demanding he answer the question.

Then, he answered the question

“So yes, do I wish [Trump] was still president. Absolutely,” Lee said to loud applause.

Lee specifically said that he’s not endorsing anyone yet, adding that as a U.S. Senator, he often has many colleagues running.

“But I wish [Trump] were president and if he gets elected president again, it’d be good for America,” he said. “America has suffered enough under Joe Biden.”

Late last month, Sen. Lee attended a fundraiser in Pleasant Grove for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who also wants to win the GOP presidential nomination.

Can confirm, @SenMikeLee was at a fundraiser for @RonDeSantis held in Pleasant Grove tonight.

It’s not known what @BasedMikeLee said, if he donated, or if this means he’s endorsing him over President Trump.

Lee was one of Trump’s biggest defenders thru 2020 election. #utpol pic.twitter.com/ba0AqxlmSo

— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) July 22, 2023

KSL NewsRadio tried to ask Sen. Lee why he went to that fundraiser, but he was whisked away before answering any more questions. His office has not yet provided an answer.

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