President Donald Trump on Thursday mocked Sen. Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.) for his "record low polling numbers," adding the senator is being "humiliatingly forced" out of his seat.
"How could Jeff Flake, who is setting record low polling numbers in Arizona and was therefore humiliatingly forced out of his own Senate seat without even a fight (and who doesn’t have a clue), think about running for office, even a lower one, again? Let’s face it, he’s a Flake!" Trump tweeted.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1004722061808427008
Flake, who announced he wasn't running for reelection last October, has been a vocal critic of Trump over his personal conduct and views. He went as far as likening Trump's attack on the media to methods used by the Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader known for his suppression – often in the form of death – of those who voiced dissent to his rule.
This is not the first time Trump has attacked Flake. He has called him "very weak" on protecting the border and "toxic."
As a result of his vocal opposition to the president, Flake's name has been floated as a potential Republican contender to challenge Trump in the 2020 presidential election. He was noncommittal last month when asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" whether he was thinking about challenging Trump.
"It’s not in my plans, but I have not ruled anything out," Flake said.