Donald Trump made the rounds on Capitol Hill today, trying to mend fences with the Republican Congress, who have reservations about supporting his candidacy.
Earlier he had met with House Republicans and although he received some support, many members weren't swept away in his aura after he gave a standard 45 minute stump speech.
But when he met with Senate Republicans, he became combative with three members who refused to support him and the meeting was not the success he and his team had hoped for.
Donald Trump’s private meeting Thursday with Senate Republicans — designed to foster greater party unity ahead of the national convention in Cleveland — grew combative as the presumptive presidential nominee admonished three senators who have been critical of his candidacy and predicted they would lose their reelection bids, according to two Republican officials with direct knowledge of the exchanges.
Sen. Flake, a vocal critic of Trump, didn't back down from his previous complaints and an unhappy Trump told him he was going to lose his reelection bid. This illustrates many Republicans objections to him since Trump acts like a know nothing candidate.
Sen. Flake coolly responded that he wasn't on the ballot this year.
When Flake stood up and introduced himself, Trump told him, “You’ve been very critical of me.”
“Yes, I’m the other senator from Arizona — the one who didn’t get captured — and I want to talk to you about statements like that,” Flake responded, according to two Republican officials.
Trump also attacked Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, who withdrew his support for Trump over his attacks on the federal judge and Sen. Ben Sasse, who was courted to run as a third party candidate against Donald.
Mr. Trump also denounced Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois, who did not attend the meeting and who withdrew his endorsement of the nominee over his inflammatory comments about the judge. Mr. Trump, apparently feeling under siege, said Mr. Kirk should not have rescinded his support, according to one attendee.
A dejected Mr. Kirk said later that it was his understanding Mr. Trump had called him a “loser” and that he did not believe that the candidate could win Illinois in the fall.
When asked by MSNBC's Brian Williams about the contentious Senate meeting, Rep. Peter King said he was "surprised" by it, but didn't "dispute" what had happened.
