President Trump told moderate Senate Democrats on Tuesday that "rich people get hurt" in the GOP tax-reform legislation, Sen. Sherrod Brown Sherrod Campbell BrownBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Emboldened Democrats haggle over 2021 agenda Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election MORE (D-Ohio) told reporters.

Trump called into the Democratic meeting, which was attended by White House advisers Gary Cohn and Marc Short, while overseas in South Korea as part of his 13-day tour through Asia.

The president sought to dispute claims that the GOP tax plan disproportionately benefits the wealthy over working class Americans.

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Trump "gave a little speech" to the lawmakers, Brown told reporters, saying it made it difficult for constructive dialogue.

Some senators disputed Trump's claims, Brown said. Trump talked for five to seven minutes over Cohn's cellphone, The Washington Post reported.

NEWS: Trump phoned in from Asia to chat with moderate Democratic senators meeting with Short and Cohn on tax reform, @SenSherrodBrown says. — Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) November 7, 2017

Trump called into Senate D meeting on tax reform and said: "'Rich people get hurt in this bill.' That’s what’s he said," Sherrod Brown said — Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 7, 2017

Brown said Trump "gave a little speech" to the group over Gary Cohn's cell phone, making it difficult for back and forth. — Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) November 7, 2017

Trump's phone call to Democratic senators during a tax reform meeting with Cohn & Short lasted 5-7 mins., aides say. — Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) November 7, 2017

The tax plan would end estate taxes for the ultra-rich and slash business and individual tax rates across the board, while aiming to boost economic growth.

The corporate tax rate would fall from 35 percent to 20 percent, which critics say unfairly benefits large corporations and keeps them from paying their fair share.

Democrats have specifically targeted the bill's elimination of certain tax breaks on teachers and deductions for state and local income taxes, arguing that Republicans are not living up to their promise to support middle-income families.

Republicans are aiming to pass the legislation before Thanksgiving. The Senate Finance Committee could release its version of the bill as early as Thursday.