Trump: House Republicans ‘Applauded and Laughed Loudly’ When I Mocked Colleague Rep. Sanford
President Donald Trump declared that House Republicans “applauded and laughed loudly” when he mocked their colleague, Rep. Mark Sanford, in a meeting on Tuesday.
It was reported on Tuesday night that the president mocked Sanford, a Republican from South Carolina, for losing the primary race to a candidate Trump endorsed at the last minute.
“Is Mark Sanford here? I just want to congratulate him on running a great race,” Trump said, according to Politico’s Jake Sherman, one of the reporters to tweet about the remark.
Per Sherman, Trump then called the Congressman “nasty,” prompting boos from lawmakers in the room.
Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to claim that he was actually “applauded” for mocking Sanford’s loss.
“Had a great meeting with the House GOP last night at the Capitol,” he wrote. “They applauded and laughed loudly when I mentioned my experience with Mark Sanford.”
“I have never been a fan of his!” Trump added.
Had a great meeting with the House GOP last night at the Capitol. They applauded and laughed loudly when I mentioned my experience with Mark Sanford. I have never been a fan of his!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 20, 2018
Sanford and Trump have a rocky history. The South Carolina lawmaker has been critical of the president, and Trump fired back by sending out a tweet the day of his election endorsing his opponent.
The tweet mocked Sanford for his affair with an Argentinian journalist.
“Mark Sanford has been very unhelpful to me in my campaign to MAGA,” Trump tweeted. “He is MIA and nothing but trouble. He is better off in Argentina. I fully endorse Katie Arrington for Congress in SC, a state I love. She is tough on crime and will continue our fight to lower taxes. VOTE Katie!”
[Photo via Win McNamee/Getty Images]
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