A former aide to 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney said Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE had previously pushed the birther argument to appeal to "rightwing crazies."



"I recorded a lot @realDonaldTrump better hope I didn't record him telling us to use birther argument bc 'rightwing crazies will believe it,'" Garrett Jackson tweeted on Thursday.

I recorded a lot @realDonaldTrump better hope I didn't record him telling us to use birther argument bc "rightwing crazies will believe it" — Garrett Jackson (@dgjackson) March 4, 2016

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Jackson tweeted on Thursday denying that Romney ever "begged" for the endorsement.

"I was with Mitt every time he saw @realDonaldTrump and guarantee Mitt never begged Trump. Wish I would've recorded Trump kissing Mitt's ass," Jackson tweeted.

I was with Mitt every time he saw @realDonaldTrump and guarantee Mitt never begged Trump. Wish I would've recorded Trump kissing Mitt's ass — Garrett Jackson (@dgjackson) March 4, 2016

Trump and Romney attacked each other on Thursday; Romney called Trump a "phony" and said he could not win in a general election against Democratic presidential front-runner. He also questioned Trump's business successes.Trump shot back at Romney during a rally Thursday, calling Romney a failed candidate saying he lost an election he should have won. Trump, who endorsed Romney in 2012, also said Romney had begged him for the endorsement."He was begging for my endorsement. I could have said, 'Mitt, drop to your knees.' He would've dropped to his knees."