President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday morning that Sen. Bob Corker (R., Tenn.) "begged" for his endorsement before the senator dropped his bid for reelection.
Corker, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, has criticized Trump in the past and announced last month he would not run again for his Senate seat in 2018. Corker was first elected in 2006 and reelected in 2012.
In his tweets, Trump claims that when he refused to endorse Corker, he dropped out of the race because he needed the president's endorsement to win again. Trump also criticized Corker for being responsible for the Iran nuclear deal and that he turned down Corker's desire to be his secretary of state.
Senator Bob Corker "begged" me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said "NO" and he dropped out (said he could not win without...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
..my endorsement). He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said "NO THANKS." He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
...Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn't have the guts to run!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
Trump's tweets about Corker come as the administration is facing the decision of whether to recertify the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump has strongly criticized the Obama administration for making.
According to the Associated Press, Trump privately urged Corker to seek a third term. Keeping his seat in Republican hands will be key to the battle of maintaining GOP control over the chamber.