President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE on Wednesday claimed his most recent attacks on Rep. Mark Sanford Mark SanfordOn The Money: Business world braces for blue sweep | Federal Reserve chief to outline plans for inflation, economy | Meadows 'not optimistic' about stalemate on coronavirus deal Trump critic Sanford forms anti-debt advocacy group Republicans officially renominate Trump for president MORE (R-S.C.) at a closed-door meeting with Sanford's colleagues were well received, despite multiple lawmakers saying they were greeted with grumbles and boos.

"Had a great meeting with the House GOP last night at the Capitol. They applauded and laughed loudly when I mentioned my experience with Mark Sanford. I have never been a fan of his!" Trump tweeted.

Had a great meeting with the House GOP last night at the Capitol. They applauded and laughed loudly when I mentioned my experience with Mark Sanford. I have never been a fan of his! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 20, 2018

At the Tuesday night meeting on immigration, Trump asked if Sanford was in attendance before calling him a "nasty guy."

ADVERTISEMENT

The comments were met with boos and and grumbles, according to sources in the room.

“I was very upset. It was very unnecessary and as far as I’m concerned, it was very rude,” Rep. Walter Jones Walter Beaman JonesExperts warn Georgia's new electronic voting machines vulnerable to potential intrusions, malfunctions Georgia restores 22,000 voter registrations after purge Stacey Abrams group files emergency motion to stop Georgia voting roll purge MORE (R-N.C.) said. “To make light of Mark Sanford is very unacceptable."

Rep. Justin Amash Justin AmashInternal Democratic poll shows tight race in contest to replace Amash Centrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill On The Trail: How Nancy Pelosi could improbably become president MORE (R-Mich.) called Trump's barb a "classless cheap shot" in a tweet after the meeting.

On Wednesday, Amash disputed Trump's account of the meeting, saying "nobody applauded or laughed."

House Republicans had front row seats to @POTUS’s dazzling display of pettiness and insecurity. Nobody applauded or laughed. People were disgusted. https://t.co/FvmDCxElgv — Justin Amash (@justinamash) June 20, 2018

And GOP Rep. Ryan Costello Ryan Anthony CostellloTrump struggles to stay on script, frustrating GOP again Bottom line Former GOP Rep. Costello launches lobbying shop MORE (Pa.) called Trump's claim "categorically false."

Sanford, who lost his primary race last week after intervention by Trump favoring his opponent, was not at the meeting because his flight to Washington, D.C., was delayed.

Sanford appeared on CNN moments after the president’s tweet. He said he believes Trump’s comments during Tuesday’s meeting were meant to warn other Republicans against opposing the president.

“I think part of what the president did yesterday was to send a very chilling message to my colleagues on, ‘hey, if you speak up against me, there will be consequences,’” Sanford said. “And I think that’s the last thing we need in our political system.”

Sanford added that he’s heard from several fellow lawmakers since the meeting.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of colleagues who have come up and said awfully kind things,” he said.

Sanford has been an outspoken critic of the president's rhetoric, but largely supports the administration's policies.

Trump had endorsed Sanford's primary opponent hours before polls closed, saying the South Carolina representative has been "very unhelpful to me in my campaign to [Make America Great Again] MAGA."