(CNN) Several people with ties to former President George H.W. Bush jumped to his defense in light of President Donald Trump's swipe Thursday night.

At a rally in Montana, Trump took aim at Bush's slogan "thousand points of light," which he popularized during his presidential campaign. It later became the titular phrase for Bush's volunteerism organization.

"You know all of the rhetoric you see. 'Thousands points of light.' What the hell was that by the way?" Trump said.

"Thousand points of light," he said. "What does that mean? I know one thing. 'Make America Great Again' we understand. Putting America first we understand. Thousand points of light, I never quite got that one. What the hell is that? Has anyone ever figured that one out? It was put out by a Republican, wasn't it?"

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, who worked for President George W. Bush, called the remarks "so uncalled for."

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