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Romney meets with Trump; both say it went well

Posted at 3:13 PM, Nov 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-19 17:19:08-05

NEW YORK (AP/WXMI) — Mitt Romney says he had a “far-reaching conversation” with President-elect Donald Trump.

The 2012 GOP presidential nominee met privately with Trump for about an hour Saturday at Trump’s private golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. Romney told reporters afterward that the two had a “very thorough and in-depth discussion” and said he appreciated “the chance to speak with” Trump.

Romney did not respond to questions about whether he would consider joining the administration.

Trump walked Romney out at the end of the meeting and said “it went great.”

The sit-down comes after an acrimonious election year. Romney was a harsh critic of Trump, calling him a “con man.” Trump called Romney a “choke artist” because of his loss to President Barack Obama. Trump and Romney have been trying to mend fences since then.

BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: (L to R) Vice president-elect Mike Pence, president-elect Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos leave the clubhouse after their meeting at Trump International Golf Club, November 19, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. Trump and his transition team are in the process of filling cabinet and other high level positions for the new administration. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – NOVEMBER 19: (L to R) Vice president-elect Mike Pence, president-elect Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos leave the clubhouse after their meeting at Trump International Golf Club, November 19, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. Trump and his transition team are in the process of filling cabinet and other high level positions for the new administration. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

GOP mega donor and West Michigan native Betsy DeVos also met with Trump on Saturday. DeVos reportedly remains on a short list of potential candidates to serve as the next secretary of education under a Trump administration. DeVos is a strong advocate of school choice and charter schools.

Ronna Romney McDaniel, niece of Mitt Romney and current chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, has also been floated as a potential replacement to serve as the next chair of the Republican National Committee. She would be the first woman to do so in decades.

Jenison High School graduate and former Romney 2012 campaign adviser Richard Grenell remains on a short list of candidates to serve as the next American ambassador to the United Nations. He would be the first openly gay American to serve in such a role.