Outgoing Republican Senator Bob Corker is not backing down from his explosive comments about President Trump and their ongoing feud playing out over social media and the press.
Speaking with CNN on Monday, Corker said his comments about Mr. Trump, which, among other things, included him comparing the White House to an "adult day care center" and saying the president was setting the country on the path toward World War III, were "well thought out."
"Look, I didn't just blurt them out," Corker told CNN. "My comments, I stand by them -- yes."
Corker added that the feelings of concern were nothing new, and have been building over time.
"I've had private dinners, I've had private phone calls, I've tried to intervene on topics that I thought things were going in a different direction and are not going to be good for our country. This is not a new thing, it's been building for some time. And it's a pattern that I think we've fought and expressed for some period of time," said Corker.
Following his Twitter exchanges with Mr. Trump, who he claimed the senator "begged" for his endorsement, a New York Times interview with Corker showed a Republican wary of his party's leader.
Corker told the Times that the president was treating his office "like a reality show" and questioned his ability to lead in a diplomatic fashion.
"He concerns me," Corker said. "He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation."
Corker, who's fight with the president could threaten Republicans' effort to pass tax reform, also told CNN he would oppose any bill that would raise the nation's deficit.
"No," he responded to questions regarding a bill sparking a deficit hike. "I mean, I've stated that clearly."
He added, "I'm very concerned as everyone knows and have been for 10 years and nine months since I've been here about our deficits. And I want to make sure that it's not something that increases deficits, and I also want it to be tax reform."
Bob Corker says his Trump jabs were "well thought out"
By Emily Tillett
/ CBS News
Outgoing Republican Senator Bob Corker is not backing down from his explosive comments about President Trump and their ongoing feud playing out over social media and the press.
Speaking with CNN on Monday, Corker said his comments about Mr. Trump, which, among other things, included him comparing the White House to an "adult day care center" and saying the president was setting the country on the path toward World War III, were "well thought out."
"Look, I didn't just blurt them out," Corker told CNN. "My comments, I stand by them -- yes."
Corker added that the feelings of concern were nothing new, and have been building over time.
"I've had private dinners, I've had private phone calls, I've tried to intervene on topics that I thought things were going in a different direction and are not going to be good for our country. This is not a new thing, it's been building for some time. And it's a pattern that I think we've fought and expressed for some period of time," said Corker.
Following his Twitter exchanges with Mr. Trump, who he claimed the senator "begged" for his endorsement, a New York Times interview with Corker showed a Republican wary of his party's leader.
Corker told the Times that the president was treating his office "like a reality show" and questioned his ability to lead in a diplomatic fashion.
"He concerns me," Corker said. "He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation."
Corker, who's fight with the president could threaten Republicans' effort to pass tax reform, also told CNN he would oppose any bill that would raise the nation's deficit.
"No," he responded to questions regarding a bill sparking a deficit hike. "I mean, I've stated that clearly."
He added, "I'm very concerned as everyone knows and have been for 10 years and nine months since I've been here about our deficits. And I want to make sure that it's not something that increases deficits, and I also want it to be tax reform."
In:- Presidency of Donald Trump
- Donald Trump
- Bob Corker
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