President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE on Thursday offered praise for his former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski Corey R. LewandowskiTrump faces tricky choice on Supreme Court pick How Trump can win reelection: Focus on Democrats, not himself Trump Jr. distances from Bannon group, says he attended 'single' event MORE, telling a local radio host that Lewandowki would make a "great" addition to the Senate should he choose to run.

Trump, speaking on "New Hampshire Today" ahead of his rally in the state Thursday night, told host Jack Heath that Lewandowski would make a "great senator" for New Hampshire should he choose to run in 2020 against Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenSenate Democrats introduce bill to sanction Russians over Taliban bounties Trump-backed candidate wins NH GOP Senate primary to take on Shaheen Democratic senator urges Trump to respond to Russian aggression MORE (D-N.H.), according to CBS News.

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"Well, first of all, I have to tell you that I think he would be fantastic, he's got great energy," he said in the interview. "He's terrific on television, you've seen. He's a really good guy, I like him a lot. I like him, I like his family, I like everything about him. I think Corey is a fantastic guy."

"And I don't think he's made that decision yet," Trump added. "I will say this, if he ran he would be a great senator. If he ran and won he'd be a great senator. He would be great for New Hampshire, he'd be great for the country. He has got a tremendous drive and that drive would be put to the people of New Hampshire's benefit and the country's benefit."

Lewandowski previously told The Hill last week that he was considering a bid against Shaheen, which would mark his first personal entrance into politics. The former Trump campaign manager left the president's team during the 2016 primary season after an altercation with a female Breitbart News reporter led to allegations of assault.

In a statement, Lewandowski said last week that Shaheen was voting in "lock step" with Democratic Party leadership.

"Jeannie Shaheen has failed the people of NH by voting in lock step with Chuck Schumer Chuck SchumerPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish MORE and Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Trump signs largely symbolic pre-existing conditions order amid lawsuit MORE," Lewandowski told The Hill. "The people of NH deserve better. If I run, I would be a voice for all the people of NH."

Democrats in the state, meanwhile, have characterized the former campaign operative as a "craven lobbyist" with credible accusations of assault against him.

"Corey Lewandowski is a craven lobbyist who has been credibly accused of assault many times and is chomping at the bit to strip away Granite Staters' health care," a spokesman for New Hampshire Democrats said last week. "Meanwhile, Senator Shaheen is making a difference for New Hampshire families, leading efforts in the Senate to expand access to health care and taking on the big drug companies to lower the costs of prescription drugs. The contrast couldn't be more clear."