Trump lashes out at Republican Sen. Jeff Flake after he announced he's not running again
Trump pointed to Sen. Jeff Flake's "18 percent approval rating in Arizona."
— -- President Donald Trump has turned to Twitter to respond to Sen. Jeff Flake's announcement that he will not seek another term.
Flake, R-Ariz., used his announcement Tuesday to denounce Trump and his behavior. Flake followed up today with a number of interviews on morning shows, including a remark to ABC News' "Good Morning America" that "a lot more" of his colleagues will eventually speak out against the president.
Trump was quick to respond, though slightly misquoting the senator.
"Jeff Flake, with an 18% approval rating in Arizona, said 'a lot of my colleagues have spoken out.' Really, they just gave me a standing O!" Trump wrote on Twitter.
Flake was in the middle of an interview with CNN when Trump posted that tweet.
"It's very difficult to be re-elected in the Republican Party right now," Flake told CNN, because the focus is not on policies but on whether "you're with the president."
That tweet was the second time this morning Trump referred to a Tuesday standing ovation. He tweeted earlier, "The meeting with Republican Senators yesterday, outside of Flake and Corker, was a love fest with standing ovations and great ideas for USA!"
He took a swipe at Flake and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who also announced he will not seek re-election next year and has been openly dismissive and disparaging of Trump.
"The reason Flake and Corker dropped out of the Senate race is very simple, they had zero chance of being elected. Now act so hurt & wounded!" Trump wrote.