Trump gathered with possible Flake challengers in Phoenix: report

President Trump reportedly gathered with several possible primary challengers to Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) on Tuesday, where he referred to the lawmaker as “the flake.” 

Politico on Wednesday reported that the former chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, Robert Graham, and State Treasurer Jeff DeWit, took part in the meeting. CNN also reported on the meeting, which it said was concentrated on unseating Flake.

Both reports say Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) was also present. 

{mosads}Trump on stage Tuesday night criticized both Flake and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), though he did not mention either Arizona lawmaker by name. Both have recently caught the president’s ire; Flake over his repeated criticism of Trump, and McCain for casting the deciding vote that killed a scaled-back repeal of ObamaCare last month. 

Flake already has one primary challenger, former state Sen. Kelli Ward, who has centered her campaign platform on being an ally to Trump’s agenda. 

“Nobody wants me to talk about your other senator, who is weak on borders, weak on crime, so I won’t talk about him,” Trump said during the Tuesday night campaign-style rally in a veiled reference to Flake.

“Nobody wants me to talk about him. Nobody knows who the hell he is. And now see, I haven’t mentioned any names. Very presidential.”