Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney appears to be fed up with almost every aspect of the 2016 election — especially front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
"There's plenty of evidence Mr. Trump is a con man, a fake," Romney said at a speech at the University of Utah on Thursday morning.
Regarding Clinton, Romney stated, "A person that untrustworthy ... must not be allowed to become president."
Most of Romney's approximately 20-minute address focused on Trump, the odds-on favorite to win the GOP nomination. Romney repeatedly called Trump a liar and called into question his temperament and knowledge of political policies.
"Dishonesty is Donald Trump's hallmark," Romney said. "The only serious policy proposals ... have come from Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and John Kasich. One of these men should be our nominee."
Romney didn't endorse a candidate during the speech and also didn't declare himself a candidate for the 2016 race.
Regarding Trump's proposed economic policies, Romney declared, "What little he has said is enough to know that he would be bad for American workers and American families." Regarding Trump's foreign policy acumen, Romney stated flatly, "When it comes to foreign policy, (Trump) is very, very not smart."
"Trump's bombast is already alarming our allies," Romney said. "Insulting all Muslims will keep them from engaging with us in the war against ISIS."
Romney also called into question Trump's refusal to release past tax returns, stating he believes "there are more bombshells" in those documents. He also belittled Trump's success in private business, stating, "He inherited his businesses, he didn't create them."
Trump did not immediately respond to Romney's comments but in the hours leading up to the speech, Trump tweeted, "Looks like two-time failed candidate Mitt Romney is going to be telling Republicans how to get elected. Not a good messenger!"
Trump has a speech scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Read some of the statements from Romney's speech below.
