Donald Trump huddled with congressional Republicans – including former primary rival Ted Cruz – Thursday as he seeks to unite the party at a time when his campaign is again clouded by controversy. Instead, he burned some to the ground.
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Sen. Mark Kirk of IL wasn’t in Thursday’s meeting, but it was reported by the Associated Press that Trump singled him out by name, supposedly calling him a loser. Jeff Flake of Arizona.
“Yes, I’m the other senator from Arizona – the one who didn’t get captured”, Flake said, an apparent reference to Trump’s dig at Arizona Sen.
Trump then predicted that Flake wouldn’t win his re-election bid, despite him not being up for re-election in 2016.
Dozens of protesters awaited Trump, shouting slogans and waving signs that said Trump is “Dangerous, Divisive, Deceitful”.
His speech will focus on the differences between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
The tenor of the questions to Trump, several House members said, was polite and respectful.
After the meeting Trump tweeted: “Just leaving D.C. Had great meetings with Republicans in the House and Senate”. “You know, we have a system now for bringing people into the country, and what we should be doing is we should be bringing people who are terrific people who have terrific records of achievement, accomplishment”.
Flake’s spokesman Jason Samuels said the Post account was accurate.
But Republican officials with direct knowledge of the Senate meeting told a much different story. He told Trump he was anxious about his ability to appeal to the broader electorate during the general election.
“I mentioned in there and I still hope to be able to support the nominee, but it’s becoming increasingly hard to think that that’s possible”, Flake later told The Arizona Republic.
The Arizonan urged him to stop attacking Mexicans, prompting Trump’s retort about Flake losing reelection. “I really do”, Flake said.
The Texas senator added that there was no discussion of an endorsement during that meeting.
Trump vowed that he would carry IL in the general election even though the state traditionally has been solidly Democratic in presidential contests.
He was introduced by House Speaker Paul Ryan; Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the GOP conference chairwoman; and Lawrence Kudlow, a conservative commentator who has advised Trump.
“I don’t think he’s toeing the party line, I think he’s all out for Governor Walker just like Trump is only out for himself”, says Rich Langan, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Brown County.
The Texas senator has so far refused to endorse Trump, but has not ruled it out.
Supporters said the meeting offered skeptics a chance to listen to Trump first-hand.
Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, a Trump critic, was less polite: “This election remains a dumpster fire”.
His campaign released a short statement after the meeting in a private club on Capitol Hill.
The senators were more eager to find common ground, notably on the economy and health care.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said the senators did not talk about Trump’s tone, which has unnerved many Republicans.
“I look at policy more than personality”.
Trump also continues to defend his praise for Hussein, the Iraqi dictator whom he described as having been effective at killing terrorists. “I think it’s a lot more hype at the national media level than anything else”.
Rep. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said Trump repeatedly said “we need to stick together”. “I thought he did a great job engaging with our members, and I think our members appreciated it”.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said Trump’s Saddam comments left him cold.
“He can be fairly casual with facts”, Sanford said. “I think it is clear Donald Trump is a better bet than Hillary Clinton”. The image was circulated last month on an online Web forum frequented by white supremacists and has been widely condemned as anti-Semitic. “Is this the “Star of David” also?”
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When asked whether he was bothered by the tweet, Rep. “It was very productive”, Sen. Mr. Trump also asked Sen.
