President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE raised some eyebrows during a campaign rally in Wisconsin on Tuesday night after he said the late President Lyndon B. Johnson was “probably looking down — or looking up” on America today.

The comment came while Trump was defending a phone call he shared with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last July that was the subject of the whistleblower complaint that helped spark the House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.

“This is based on a perfect phone call. Did anybody read the transcript? It’s a perfect call. In fact, if you go back and look at Lyndon Johnson, all of ‘em, you know, Lyndon Johnson was sort of a tough guy. Can you imagine his phone calls?” he said at the rally in Milwaukee.

Pres. Trump: "This is based on a perfect phone call... If you go back and look at Lyndon Johnson. You know Lyndon Johnson was sort of a tough guy. Can you imagine his phone calls? He's probably looking down or looking up, and he's probably saying 'these people have gone crazy.'" pic.twitter.com/PljlhQYFg2 — The Hill (@thehill) January 14, 2020

“He's probably looking down — or looking up,” he added to some laughs from his supporters.

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The remark was almost immediately met with criticism on Twitter.

George Conway George Thomas ConwayGeorge Conway hits Trump on 9/11 anniversary: 'The greatest threat to the safety and security of Americans' Susan Collins faces battle of lifetime in Maine Conway hails Trump as 'champion' of women MORE, a conservative attorney and husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway Kellyanne Elizabeth ConwayGeorge Conway hits Trump on 9/11 anniversary: 'The greatest threat to the safety and security of Americans' Juan Williams: Swamp creature at the White House Oversight Democrats press for probe into possible Hatch Act violations MORE, took a dig at Trump on Twitter:

Trump is hoping to meet LBJ I guess https://t.co/Eqvhm9MAsZ — George Conway (@gtconway3d) January 14, 2020

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi Subramanian (Raja) Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocratic chairman says White House blocked Navarro from testifying Democrats urge CDC to update guidance to encourage colleges, universities go tobacco-free Trump says people 'in the dark shadows' are controlling Biden MORE (D-Ill.), who chairs the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, also took aim at Trump over the remark.

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“We can listen to recordings of many of LBJ's calls and, hard as many of them can be to listen to now for many reasons, he didn't ask foreign governments to intervene in our elections in exchange for congressionally authorized military aid.”

We can listen to recordings of many of LBJ's calls and, hard as many of them can be to listen to now for many reasons, he didn't ask foreign governments to intervene in our elections in exchange for congressionally authorized military aid. https://t.co/6Dnqepk462 https://t.co/uAJmUZRQ1A — Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) January 14, 2020

Trump also drew backlash last month after he made similar comments about the late Rep. John Dingell John DingellRaces heat up for House leadership posts Democrats flubbed opportunity to capitalize on postal delays COVID-19 bill limiting liability would strike the wrong balance MORE (D-Mich.) at a rally in Michigan.

At the time, Trump had suggested the late congressman, who died at age 92 last year, was “looking up” in the afterlife instead of down from heaven. “Maybe he’s looking up. I don’t know. ... But let’s assume he’s looking down,” he said.

The comments sparked fierce criticism from the late congressman’s widow, Rep. Debbie Dingell Deborah (Debbie) Ann DingellRaces heat up for House leadership posts Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell easily wins House primary Court orders release of Black Michigan teen who was jailed for missing schoolwork MORE (D-Mich.), and prompted lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to demand an apology.