WASHINGTON _ What started as Donald Trump's unity visit with Republicans on Capitol Hill hit trouble Thursday as he criticized three GOP senators who have refused to support him.
In a closed session with Senate Republicans, Trump said it's "hurtful" that Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, who was not present, doesn't back him. He warned Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake he could work against his re-election. And he ribbed late-night tweeter Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska.
"You must want Hillary to win," Trump said, according to those in the room, as senators met privately at campaign headquarters. "If you can't support me, you're supporting Hilary."
Other senators downplayed the exchanges as a small part of an otherwise positive and free-wheeling discussion with the presumed GOP nominee.
"I don't feel there was this tense exchange, even with Flake," said Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb.
Several Republican senators declined to comment specifically _ many said they did not hear a reported remark by Trump characterizing Kirk, who is disabled from a stroke and in a difficult re-election battle, as a loser.
Many acknowledged the conversation was "frank."
"Not bashful," said Sen. Michael D. Crapo, R-Idaho.
Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford said Trump was "casual and complimentary" to Sasse, and the most intense exchange involved Flake, who introduced himself as the other senator from Arizona, the one not "captured," a reference to Trump's criticism last fall of Sen. John McCain for having been a prisoner of war in Vietnam.
Flake brought up Trump's suggestion that the American-born judge overseeing lawsuits against the businessman can't do his job properly because of his Mexican heritage.
Trump responded: "'You've been hard on me, I haven't responded, I've stayed out of it. I could engage, but I haven't," according to those in the room.
"I didn't hear it as a threat," Lankford said. "I heard it more as playing kind of a tough guy kind of comment."
Flake's office did not respond to request for comment, nor did Sasse's spokesman.
McCain praised his fellow Arizona senator as an independent voice.
Another Trump dissenter, his campaign trail rival Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, reportedly met with Trump separately.
Trump's tour of Capitol Hill started with a call for unity after he was welcomed warmly by Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., for a private meeting with House Republicans.
"Let's stick together," Trump told House Republicans, according to one lawmaker in the room, Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., an early supporter and informal adviser. "We need to stick together."
Trump fielded dozens questions from lawmakers in both sessions _ and plenty of unsolicited campaign advice. Protesters crowded the sidewalks outside.
He was joined by his daughter Ivanka, who did not address the group, and was introduced by Larry Kudlow, an economic adviser to his campaign. Lawmakers gave him repeated applause.
