Chrissie Thompson and Jessie Balmert

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, an outspoken critic of President Trump, is scheduled to meet with his former primary rival Friday at the White House.

The two Republicans are already disagreeing on who called the meeting.

Kasich adviser John Weaver said on Twitter late Monday the "tentative" meeting between Trump was scheduled "because the president asked."

But White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer insisted Tuesday it was Kasich who sought the meeting with Trump — not the other way around.

“Gov. Kasich has reached out on multiple occasions to meet with the president," Spicer told reporters Tuesday. Spicer said Trump would meet with "anybody who can help move the country forward and share in his vision," including former foes like Kasich.

Even after Spicer's comments, Weaver insisted Trump had repeatedly requested a meeting with Kasich.

Kasich hasn't met with Trump since he became the GOP nominee for president, defeating Kasich and 15 other primary rivals.

The Ohio governor refused to vote for Trump in the 2016 general election. He attended Trump's inauguration and has said the country should give Trump a chance now that he's president. But he has continued to criticize White House policies and actions, from Trump's executive order on immigration to the general tenor of White House communication.

This weekend, Kasich said "loose words" from the White House caused concern worldwide. World leaders need to hear from Trump himself that the U.S. is committed to its alliances, such as NATO, Kasich said.

Kasich last visited the White House as the guest of President Obama, helping him sell the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Trump opposed the deal as a candidate and officially pulled the U.S. out of the agreement upon taking office.

The timing of the planned meeting is, on its face, odd. The Ohio governor is scheduled to release a book in April highlighting his vision and policies that contrast with those of Trump. The book will position him, at the least, for a long-term spot as a Trump critic and could leave the door open to another presidential campaign.

Kasich's allies also have launched a new political group, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit "Two Paths America," to promote Kasich's ideas.

Contributing: USA TODAY's Gregory Korte