President Donald Trump added "We love you, Steve. Great job." | Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Trump quips to Scalise that shooting was 'a hell of a way to lose weight'

President Donald Trump cracked that the shooting that hospitalized Rep. Steve Scalise was "a hell of a way to lose weight," taking a moment to praise the Louisiana Republican during a gathering with lawmakers Wednesday to celebrate the passage of a tax bill.

"He's braver than all of us. He's braver," Trump said of Scalise, who was shot and injured during a congressional baseball practice in June, where a gunman opened fired on a group of lawmakers. Two police officers, a congressional aide and a lobbyist were also shot at the practice in Alexandria, Va.


"He had a rougher year than most of us," the president quipped, "but it's a hell of a way to lose weight, Steve."

"Not a good way," Trump added. "We love you, Steve. Great job."

The bullet, which pierced Scalise's hip, left him in critical condition.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Trump sent his thoughts and prayers to Scalise, whom he wished a speedy recovery.

"Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him," Trump tweeted at the time.

Scalise made an emotional return to Capitol Hill in September.

"You have no idea how great this feels to be back here in the people's House," Scalise told the chamber. "The last three-and-a-half months have been a pretty challenging time for me and my family. But if you look at the outpouring of love, of warmth, of prayer — my gosh! — we've been overwhelmed. And it's given us the strength to get through all this."

