Trump looks to critics for top jobs

Washington (CNN)President-elect Donald Trump is looking to some of his most bitter past opponents and critics as he assembles a Cabinet.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney went from being "one of the dumbest and worst candidates in the history of Republican politics," who "choked like a dog" in his 2012 run against President Barack Obama, according to Trump, to now being considered for secretary of state.

Failed candidate Mitt Romney,who ran one of the worst races in presidential history,is working with the establishment to bury a big "R" win!

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2016

Trump, who had endorsed Romney in 2012, consistently slammed the former Massachusetts governor following Romney's loss to Obama in 2012.

"If Mitt Romney were in the private sector & he suffered the horrendous loss of 2012, do you think he'd rehire himself for 2016?I don't!" Trump tweeted in 2014.

If Mitt Romney were in the private sector & he suffered the horrendous loss of 2012, do you think he'd rehire himself for 2016?I don't!

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2014

Nikki Haley News that Haley accepted Trump's offer to become the next US ambassador to the UN is another unexpected twist.

The South Carolina governor, who initially endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, sharply disavowed Trump and later backed his rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, after Rubio dropped

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out of the race.

The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2016

Trump said in January that Haley is "very weak on illegal immigration" and tweeted in March, "The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!"

Haley did not back down and said in February that Trump represents "everything a governor doesn't want in a president."

Ben Carson Early on in the primary contest, Carson briefly began to lead Trump in some national polls, turning what had begun as a friendly relationship into to a rivalry defined by personal attacks and insults, largely from Trump.

Trump slammed Carson for stories that the famed neurosurgeon tells in his book about his childhood, and accused his opponent of lying about his past.

"The Carson story is either a total fabrication or, if true, even worse-trying to hit mother over the head with a hammer or stabbing friend!" Trump tweeted.

The Carson story is either a total fabrication or, if true, even worse-trying to hit mother over the head with a hammer or stabbing friend!

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2015

"With Ben Carson wanting to hit his mother on head with a hammer, stab a friend and Pyramids built for grain storage - don't people get it?" he added.

With Ben Carson wanting to hit his mother on head with a hammer, stab a friend

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and Pyramids built for grain storage - don't people get it?

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2015

Trump also told CNN's "New Day" that Carson -- the first surgeon to separate twins joined at the head -- is only an "OK doctor" and said, "You look at his faith and I think you're not going to find so much."

Carson attempted to avoid personal attacks and later endorsed Trump in March, a week after ending his own campaign.

Bobby Jindal The Louisiana governor, who is rumored to be considered for the position of Secretary of the Health and Human Services, once called Trump an "egomaniacal madman" and a "non-serious carnival act."

Trump shot back against his then-Republican primary opponent, calling Jindal "a little bit nasty," but adding that he is ultimately "a nice guy."

Jindal later endorsed Trump.

Rick Perry Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is said to be under consideration as Trump's Secretary of Energy pick. Perry was one of Trump's first and most outspoken opponents during the primary race and once called Trump "a cancer on conservatism."

Trump repeatedly hit the former Texas governor on immigration and questioned his intelligence.

"Rick Perry failed at the border. Now he is critical of me. He needs a new pair of glasses to see the crimes committed by illegal immigrants," Trump tweeted.

Rick Perry failed at the border. Now he is critical of me. He needs a new pair of glasses to see the crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

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- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2015

.@GovernorPerry failed on the border. He should be forced to take an IQ test before being allowed to enter the GOP debate," Trump followed up in June.

.@GovernorPerry failed on the border. He should be forced to take an IQ test before being allowed to enter the GOP debate.

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2015

"Rick Perry did an absolutely horrible job of securing the border. He should be ashamed of himself. Gov. Abbott has since been terrific," he added a few days later.

Rick Perry did an absolutely horrible job of securing the border. He should be ashamed of himself. Gov. Abbott has since been terrific.

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 21, 2015

But Perry backed Trump in May after Cruz quit the race.

Ben Bernanke The former chairman of the Federal Reserve is reportedly being eyed for the Secretary of the Treasury position, although Trump has slammed Bernanke in the past.

"With Obama and Bernanke destroying the value of the dollar, gold and real estate should continue to rise in value," he tweeted in 2012.

With Obama and Bernanke destroying the value of the dollar, gold and real estate should continue to rise in value.

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- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2012

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/23/politics/donald-trump-cabinetrivals/index.html

Trump looks to critics for top jobs

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