Romney swallows his pride: 'Choker' Mitt embraces the President-elect he retorted was a 'con-man and a bigot' in election campaign war of words as Trump dangles prospect of a White House role at transition team talks 

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It appears the long-running war of words between Donald Trump and Mitt Romney has come to an end after the two met at his New Jersey golf club on Saturday.

The US president-elect was joined by Mike Pence for a meeting with one of his most outspoken critics at the clubhouse of Trump National Golf Club in Bedminister.

Trump and Vice President-elect Pence posed for pictures together before greeting Romney at the clubhouse's entrance.

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Donald Trump and Mitt Romney seemed to bury the hatchet on Saturday afternoon as they shook hands before a meeting at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminister, New Jersey

It is believed Romney is a possible contender for Secretary of State, despite the fact that he led the Republican opposition against Trump's campaign for the presidency

The meeting with Romney appears to be the end of a long-standing feud between the two men 

Trump clapped his hands several times as Romney walked up the steps to the clubhouse just before 1pm. 

Romney shook hands with the president-elect and said 'good to see you, sir', as they gripped each other's arms. 

He then shook hands with Pence and patted him on the back as the three men walked into the clubhouse together.  

It is believed Romney is a possible contender for secretary of state, despite the fact that he led the Republican opposition against Trump's campaign for the presidency.

The former Governor of Massachusetts also previously called Trump a 'phony', 'fraud' and 'con man', criticizing both his fitness to be president and his policies.

In May, Romney wrote a lengthy Facebook post in which he said Trump should be disqualified from receiving the nomination after refusing to release his tax returns. 

'There is only one logical explanation for Mr Trump's refusal to release his returns: there is a bombshell in them,' Romney wrote. 

The two men gamely extended their hands out for a polite shake as Pence smiled on the steps of the clubhouse 

The former Governor of Massachusetts has called Trump a 'phony' and a 'fraud' in the past and criticized both his fitness to be president and his policies

Meanwhile, Trump has called Romney one of the 'dumbest and worst candidates in the history of Republican politics'

Romney has since seemed to try and bury the hatchet with Trump, congratulating him after he was elected president earlier this month

'Given Mr. Trump's equanimity with other flaws in his history, we can only assume it's a bombshell of unusual size.'  

Meanwhile, Trump has called Romney one of the 'dumbest and worst candidates in the history of Republican politics'. 

He also said Romney 'choked like a dog' in his failed 2012 presidential bid against Obama after the former governor said a Trump presidency would lead to 'trickle-down racism'. 

'Presidents have an impact on the nature of our nation, and trickle-down racism, trickle-down bigotry, trickle-down misogyny, all these things are extraordinarily dangerous to the heart and character of America,' Romney told CNN in June. 

Romney has since seemed to try and bury the hatchet with Trump, congratulating him after the Donald was elected president earlier this month.

'Best wishes for our duly elected president,' he tweeted. 'May his victory speech be his guide and preserving the Republic his aim.' 

And Trump's meeting with Romney can be seen as an olive branch to a figure firmly planted in the Republican establishment.

The two talked for more than an hour on Saturday before Trump walked Romney out, telling reporters the meeting 'went great'. 

Romney told the press that he and the president-elect had a 'far reaching conversation' about 'various theaters in the world' where the United States has vested interests. 

'We discussed those areas, and exchanged our views on those topics - a very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had,' Romney said in a statement. 

'And I appreciate the chance to speak with the president-elect and I look forward to the coming administration and the things that it's going to be doing.'   

And Trump's meeting with Romney can be seen as an olive branch to a figure firmly planted in the Republican establishment

Trump gave reporters a thumbs up as Romney left the clubhouse after their meeting 

The men politely shook each other's hands before Romney left the president-elect to continue his meetings for the day

Trump told reporters the meeting 'went great' as Romney walked away from the clubhouse

The meeting lasted for more than an hour and Romney told reporters it was an 'in-depth' and 'far reaching conversation'

Romney appeared to be in good spirits after the meeting as he slipped off his suit jacket and entered a vehicle to leave

PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S CABINET PICKS 

 White House chief of staff: Reince Priebus

Reince Priebus

The chairman of the Republican National Committee, Priebus earned Trump's trust and confidence over the campaign. The 44-year-old Wisconsin political operative, who has spent his career as a Republican party official, is poised to be one of Trump's most important gatekeepers, controlling access to the president and providing counsel.

Chief strategist and senior counselor to the president: Steve Bannon

Steve Bannon

One of Trump's most controversial hires to date, Bannon joined Trump's campaign as CEO in August after serving as the head of Breitbart News — a far-right outlet that is one of Trump's biggest backers. Bannon, 62, worked for Goldman Sachs, then started his own media-focused boutique investment banking firm. After selling the business, he became a film producer, which introduced him to conservative publisher Andrew Breitbart and author Peter Schweizer. Jewish groups and a long list of Democratic leaders have denounced Bannon's hiring and called on Trump to reconsider. 

Attorney general: Sen. Jeff Sessions

Sen. Jeff Sessions

The first senator to endorse the president elect, Alabama's Sessions is known for his tough stance on immigration enforcement policies.

Sessions, who served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama and Alabama attorney general before his election to the U.S. Senate, is expected to push the Justice Department to the right.

Sessions, 69, could, however, face confirmation hiccups: His last confirmation hearing, in 1986 for a federal judgeship, was derailed over allegations that he'd made racially charged remarks while U.S. attorney in Alabama. 

Assistant to the president for national security: Michael Flynn

Michael Flynn

A retired Army lieutenant general and former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Flynn was another early Trump backer and served as the president-elect's top military adviser during the campaign. After retiring in 2014, Flynn quickly turned on the Obama administration and accused it of being soft on terrorism. In recent public comments, Flynn has emphasized his view that Islamic State extremists pose an existential threat on a global scale and demanded a far more aggressive U.S. military campaign against the group. In August, he declared that Islam 'is a political ideology' and that it 'definitely hides behind being a religion'.

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency: Rep. Mike Pompeo

Rep. Mike Pompeo

The Kansas congressman is a relatively new face in Trump's circle. The hard-line Republican shares much of Trump's worldview. He has heavily criticized the landmark Iran nuclear deal, blasted Hillary Clinton over the attack on a U.S. diplomatic outpost in Libya and her use of a private email server, and believes Edward Snowden is a traitor who deserves a death sentence. 

 

 

It remains unclear how serious Romney is being considered for the job. 

But former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee said that if Trump takes on Romney and appoints him to a cabinet position it would be an 'insult to the voters'.

'I don't see any way in the world that Mitt Romney would have a cabinet position in the Donald Trump administration,' Huckabee told Fox News. 

"It would really not so much be an insult to Donald Trump. It would be an insult to the supporters of Donald Trump, who went out there and faithfully stood behind Donald Trump, to give a guy a job who basically said all those supporters were following a con man. That would be an insult to the voters,' Huckabee said. 

The list of potential candidates includes former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, believed to be the front-runner, along with former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton, Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Trump drove up to the clubhouse from his personal cottage, which is also on the grounds, just before noon on Saturday. 

When asked by reporters what his schedule for the day was, Trump simply said: 'A lot of meetings, thank you.'

'Indeed,' Pence replied. 

Trump's son Eric was spotted entering the clubhouse around 12.20pm, shortly followed by the president-elect's newly-selected Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. 

Jason Miller, Trump's communications director, and Republican National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer were also in attendance.

Trump greeted Michelle Rhee, the controversial former DC schools chancellor who is being considered for the secretary of education position, and her husband Kevin Johnson after Romney left.

Steve Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs executive and Trump’s campaign finance chairman, was also spotted entering the clubhouse, as was billionaire Patrick Soon Shiong.

Mnuchin is reportedly being considered for the treasury secretary position. Shiong, a doctor and biotechnology mogul, is worth $9billion.

Trump also had a meeting with Betsy DeVos, a major Republican donor and school advocate who is also in the running for the secretary of education position. 

He then greeted retired Gen. James Mattis at 3.30pm, exchanging a few words before they posed for pictures. At the cameras clickedTrump pointed to Mattis with one finger and said 'great man'.

Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general and former commander of United States Central Command, is being considered for the secretary of defense position.

The defense secretary is required by law to be out of the military for at least seven years. Since Mattis has only been retired for four years, he would require a congressional waiver if chosen for the position.

As Mattis left he and Trump shook hands and when asked about how the meeting went, Trump said: 'All I can say is he is the real deal. The real deal.'

In a follow question about whether Trump would choose Mattis for Secretary of Defense, he said: 'We'll see, we'll see.' 

Trump added of Mattis that 'he's just a brilliant, wonderful man. What a career. We are going to see what happens but he is the real deal.'

Bob Woodson (center), a civil rights activist and founder and president of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, also met with Trump and Pence

When ask what role Woodson might have in Trump's administration, he said 'we'll see. We'll see'. Woodson, who wore a brown jacket and khakis with a red tie, talked briefly with Trump on the front step before departing

Trump and Pence arrived for the day of meetings at the clubhouse earlier on Saturday

They posed for pictures together before greeting Mitt Romney at the clubhouse's entrance

 Trump is also expected to meet with retired Gen. James Mattis this weekend before announcing a number of cabinet positions on Monday and Tuesday

Bob Woodson, a civil rights activist and founder and president of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, also met with Trump and Pence. 

When ask what role Woodson might have in Trump's administration, he said 'we'll see. We'll see'.

Woodson, who wore a brown jacket and khakis with a red tie, talked briefly with Trump on the front step before departing.

Woodson did not take any questions but Trump said of the meeting "it went very well, very well", from the doorstep of the clubhouse before returning inside.

After Woodson left, Trump then asked the press pool: 'Everything OK out there? Everything good?' 

Several unknown people in the press enclosure shouted about coffee or hot chocolate as the temperature has dipped down into low 50s in the New Jersey twilight. Trump responded: 'Need some chocolate, need something? I'll send some stuff. I'm not allowed to do that but I will.'

It was unclear if Trump actually provided reporters with coffee. 

Trump also met with Todd Ricketts, Andy Puzder, Lew Eisenberg and Patrick Soon-Shiong. It was unclear what positions Trump was considering the men for. 

Ricketts owns the Chicago Cubs and fundraised for Trump during his campaign. Pudzer, the chief executive of CKE Restaurants, could be considered for Labor Secretary. Eisenberg is an American business financier and investor. Soon-Shiong is a South African surgeon, medical researcher, businessman, philanthropist, and professor at University of California

Puzder left at 6.20pm and he and Trump paused on the steps to shake hands. When asked if getting close to making any decision, Trump said 'getting close'.

When asked if he would serve in the cabinet, Puzder said 'I would be proud to serve in any position this president would ask me to serve in'.

When Puzder was asked a follow-up about whether he been asked to serve, the fast food CEO said 'always talking'.

Soon-Shiong arrived at 7pm without a formal greeting, as Trump and Pence had left for dinner at that point. He wouldn't specify to reporters what appointment he was hoping to be considered for.   

Shortly after that, Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus walked out, and Bannon did not respond to questions about whether the alt-right is racist.

Before he left for dinner, Trump took a few questions from the press before a 'lid', or the finish, was announced for the day.  

Trump told reporters the cabinet is taking shape and he and his team will be back at it again tomorrow when some announcements could be made. 

'(It's been) really efficiently. Tremendous talent. We’re seeing tremendous talent. People that, like I say, we will ‘Make America Great Again.’ These are really great people. These are really, really talented people,' Trump told reporters. 

Trump is expected to have meetings with Giuliani and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, among others, on Sunday.

Donald's decision to take the transition talks to Bedminster this week left authorities scrambling to instill the appropriate security measures

The president-elect's newly-selected Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was seen walking into the clubhouse on Saturday

Trump greeted Michelle Rhee, the controversial former DC schools chancellor who is being considered for the secretary of education position, and her husband Kevin Johnson after Romney left

Trump also posed for photographs before a meeting Betsy DeVos, a major Republican donor and school advocate who is also in the running for the secretary of education position

President-elect Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos shake hands at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, New Jersey 

President-elect Trump throws up a peace sign and looks back as Betsy DeVos boards a vehicle to leave Trump National Golf Club Bedminster

In addition to Romney, Trump met with retired Gen. James Mattis (pictured) on Saturday

Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general and former commander of United States Central Command, is being considered for the Secretary of Defense position

Billionaire and biotechnology mogul Patrick Soon Shiong was also spotted entering the clubhouse

Trump's son Eric (left at Trump Tower on Friday) was spotted entering the clubhouse around 12.20pm, as was the president-elect's communications director Jason Miller (right at Trump Tower on Thursday)

Republican National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer (left at Trump Tower on Wednesday) and Steve Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs executive and Trump’s campaign finance chairman (right on Monday), were also at the clubhouse 

Nominations for secretary of state, treasury secretary and commerce secretary are expected to be announced on Monday or Tuesday. 

Trump Tower in Manhattan has seen a revolving cast of high profile characters since election day, and the Donald's decision to take the transition talks to Bedminster this week left authorities scrambling to instill the appropriate security measures.

Drivers were stuck in gridlock for more than an hour during rush hour on Friday as his transition team headed to New Jersey. 

The Lincoln Tunnel connecting Midtown Manhattan to Weehawken, New Jersey was shut in both directions while Trump's motorcade cruised past.

Commuters were left bumper-to-bumper on the roads leading to the tunnel, which sees an average of more than 100,000 vehicles passing through it every day. 

Mayor Steven Parker said the operation came together quickly with law enforcement at all levels descending on the quiet central Jersey town.

Parker said the town should be 'flattered' that Trump chose it to hold his meetings over the 16 other country clubs he has sprinkled across the world.  

The Trump National Golf Club, where a membership reportedly costs $300,000, has always been one of the president-elect's favorite properties.

It is where his daughter Ivanka wed her husband Jared Kushner in October 2009, and Trump had previously stated he wanted to be buried on the club's grounds.  

Trump announced earlier this week that he planned to hold weekend transition meetings at the upscale club, rather than Trump Tower 

Trump appeared to be in good spirits as he gave the cameras a thumbs up on his way to the clubhouse

Trump surfaced in New Jersey after a week of being cooped up at Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan for transition team talks