19:32

The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs has more on Donald Trump’s meeting with congressional Republicans:

Donald Trump waves after meeting with House Republican members in Washington. Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Some House members left the private meetings giving a highly positive account of Trump’s comments. Rep Ralph Abraham of Louisiana said his party’s nominee talked about “growth, security and prosperity, all the good things” while fellow Louisiana congressman and Senate candidate John Fleming said there was “a lot of positive energy” and “the entire conference was uniting behind Donald Trump”.

In his remarks, Trump reportedly addressed a number of policy issues while also harping on what he felt was unfair media criticism over his praise for Saddam Hussein killing terrorists in recent days. His grievances were shared by many in the room. Rep Trent Franks of Arizona, a self-described “former critic” of Trump complained to reporters afterwards that “you missed all the ugly things he said about Saddam Hussein but if he says he [Saddam] kills terrorists he’s in love with Saddam Hussein. Of all the stupidity and misappropriation of the truth.”

Although Trump received multiple standing ovations, he may not have been the most popular member of his family in the room. When Rep Peter King of New York said members had their choice who to take a picture with, they flocked towards Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. “She’s the star,” King said.

But there were also critics in the room. South Carolina Rep Mark Sanford mocked Trump afterward for referencing article XII of the Constitution in response to a question about article I, which delineates Congress’s powers. There are only seven articles in the Constitution.