Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican nominee, made an emotional plea to supporters at a private summit in Utah on Saturday, saying what's happening to the GOP "is breaking my heart." File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

PARK CITY, Utah, June 11 (UPI) -- An at-times emotional Mitt Romney lashed out at the slate of 2016 Republican presidential candidates for failing to stop Donald Trump, saying what's become of the GOP "is breaking my heart."

CNN and Politico reported Romney appeared to tear up during the closed-door gathering when making the comment at a summit he's hosting for many of his top supporters and donors from the 2012 campaign. He was greeted with an extended ovation during the emotional plea.


Romney has made no secret of his disdain for Trump, calling out his intensely personal criticism of fellow Republicans and controversial comments about women and minority groups.

"Seeing this is breaking my heart," Romney said.

He also levied criticism of the campaign run by other 2016 candidates, who Romney said were too focused on trying to get ahead themselves and attacking one another, rather than Trump.

Romney was critical of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's super PAC, Right to Rise, which he said spent $100 million, mostly on attacks against Sen. Marco Rubio and others, rather than on Trump.

He also called out Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who Romney said helped split the anti-Trump vote during the primary by refusing to leave the race, even after it became clear Kasich had no chance of winning the nomination.

"He was in well after the time there was no possible pathway to becoming the nominee," Romney said, adding he spoke personally to Kasich during the campaign and urged him to leave the race.

Romney was also critical of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who Romney belatedly endorsed in the campaign, for initially praising Trump before the two became staunch enemies in the campaign's final weeks.

"Ted Cruz was basically praising Donald Trump through the whole process until the very end," he said.

Romney's summit in Park City, Utah, is scheduled to run for several days and will host top GOP officials, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, Romney's 2012 running mate, and Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus, among others.

Romney's disparaging remarks about the 2016 field came a day after an interview with CNN, during which he said Trump is engaged in "trickle-down racism" that could have long-lasting effects on the country if he is elected president.

Trump responded to that comment on Saturday at a rally in Florida, saying Romney "let us down" by failing to defeat President Barack Obama, adding Romney "choked like a dog."