Romney once labelled the now president-elect a ‘phony’, but after a meal in New York he was effusive – a U-turn that Twitter users were keen to exploit

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Mitt Romney has praised Donald Trump, saying he has “increasing hope” that the president-elect can lead the country to a “better future,” following a dinner with Trump and Republican party chairman Reince Priebus in New York.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee dined with Trump at a French restaurant in Manhattan on Tuesday night. It was their second meeting since the election and took place as Trump decides whom to appoint as secretary of state.

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Speaking to reporters after the meal, Romney offered a glowing review of Trump’s transition thus far and his winning campaign.

Romney said “it’s not easy to win,” adding that Trump offered a vision that “connected with the American people in a very powerful way.”

His comments are a departure from his stance during the campaign, when Romney was sharply critical of Trump, calling him a “phony” and a fraud whose promises were worthless.

Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) Here's what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. (1/2)

Romney’s new-found admiration Trump has not gone unnoticed, with social media users eager to highlight the former governor of Massachusetts’ about-turn since the election.

Images from the dinner, which show Trump smiling and Romney in a half-grimace, have been widely shared on Twitter as evidence of just how awkward a situation Romney is in. One Twitter user said the scene reminded him of a “deal with the Devil.”

The New York Daily News even ran a caption competition.

Astoria Haiku (@AstoriaHaiku) @NYDailyNews Final course: Humble Pie

But many Twitter users didn’t need an invitation.

Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) "What's for dinner, Donald?"



"Your dignity" pic.twitter.com/TRFIh56cEe

John Nichols (@NicholsUprising) Donald Trump: I am enjoying this.

Mitt Romney: I am not. pic.twitter.com/EJcTKVwFWJ

Adam Murray (@Atom_Murray) I made the Trump/Romney photo black and white, and it looks like a Twilight Zone episode where a guy just made a foolish deal with the Devil pic.twitter.com/froiDYDJei

Gray Connolly (@GrayConnolly) Romney should be holding up a newspaper with today's date on it pic.twitter.com/zZNBpABJcN

Sam Thielman (@samthielman) "I said SMILE" [hysterical laughter] pic.twitter.com/sjDbq7gxwD

dan noëlan (@dannolan) Romney: "What do you call this"

Trump: "Polonium"

Romney: "It's incredible. Just incredible. Divine." pic.twitter.com/DlgbgyhI5k

Associated Press contributed to this report