Donald Trump had a testy exchange with Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, who’s been critical of the candidate’s comments on Hispanics. He said Trump said “polls are showing he’s doing well in the state of Nevada”.

Overall, Trump’s message touched on “the things that are on people’s mind that I hear about when I travel around the state of Arkansas”, he added.

Republican aides cited good attendance from both houses of Congress at the two meetings, although some lawmakers made a point of staying away, citing previous commitments.

Among Republicans, 77% of those who preferred another candidate in the GOP primary say they would vote for Trump over Clinton.

Trump defended himself against some of his harshest Senate critics. Addressing Nebraska GOP Sen. Ben Sasse, he said, “Surely, you don’t want Clinton”. Image Credit: Roll Call ” We had a positive and productive meeting this morning with Donald Trump.

Thursday’s meeting with representatives was hosted by Ryan, who will also serve as chairman of the Republican National Convention July 18-21 in Cleveland, Ohio. John McCain’s being held captive in the Vietnam War.

“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.

Flake told Trump that he wants to be able to support him - “I’m not part of the Never Trump movement”, the senator said - but that he remains uncomfortable backing him, the officials said.

“Let’s put to rest today this ridiculous idea that Pat Toomey is not fully in support of Donald Trump”.

Trump, the newspaper said, flashed a mischievous smile, answering, “I’ll let you know how I feel about it after it happens”. Mark Kirk (R-IL)- who has publicly opposed Trump-was a “loser”. “Mr. Trump was leased with the discussion and looks forward to working together with the Republican Party leadership towards defeating Hillary Clinton in November”.

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, who hadn’t spent time with Trump previously, said he was glad to see the candidate reaching out to lawmakers. “Sending our jobs far overseas”.

In late March, Trump threatened to “spill the beans” on Cruz’s wife after an anti-Trump super PAC unaffiliated with Cruz’s campaign pushed out a series of digital ads aimed at portraying Trump’s wife in a negative light.

“From my perspective, I think we’ve been making progress in the right direction”, Scott said as he walked back to his Senate office from the meeting at the National Republican Senatorial Committee offices a few blocks from the Capitol.

“I wasn’t particularly impressed”, Sanford told reporters after Thursday’s meeting at an event.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNN. Ted Cruz for the Republican nomination before he dropped out of the race, telling The Advocate, “I think he’s very conservative, and a great constitutionalist, and a very articulate man”.