Not just “hope”, but INCREASING HOPE. SO, it’s the same as saying, “maybe you are not as bad as I thought - maybe you aren’t a total madman, perhaps with time you can be acceptable to the likes of me, Mr. Mitt Romney, King of the Never-Trumpers.” It’s a mealy-mouth half-assed walk-back.
Not even close to an endorsement of Trump.
Trump - THE BOSS
Romney - May I have a piece of pie, Daddy?