WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump visited Capitol Hill on Thursday for a "unity" meeting with Republican lawmakers, some of whom did not support him in the primary election.
Speaking to Raw Story outside of the meeting, several lawmakers including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Florida Republican Reps. Byron Donalds and Matt Gaetz called the president "energetic" or described the event as filled with "energy."
Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) told Raw Story the event was "mandatory fun for everybody" in the Republican Party. If it was, that message didn't make it to Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), both of whom told CNN they had a scheduling conflict.
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Meanwhile, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) exited the event, telling Raw Story that Trump tried to bury the hatchet with some of his close allies who went on the attack against Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
"I was very disappointed in Mike because I expected more," Gosar said. "And then — but I also wanted to be part of the solution. And I don't think [Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)] gave him enough time before she took his legs out from under him."
Trump is dedicated to taking back the House and the Senate, he said, and he thinks it could happen.
"I can tell you, there is somethin' brewing big time," Gosar told Raw Story. "I think it is more about getting back to our founding principles and equal obligation of the law. A return to that. And a return to God."
He went on to say that he thinks Trump "raising $400 million" after being found guilty "tells you" all that is necessary on the topic.
Democrats were more hostile to the Trump visit, with some calling it "insulting."
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) asked for a show of hands in the House Judiciary Committee from those who did not meet with a convicted felon Thursday.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) posted on X that it was "bring your felon to work day" at the U.S. Capitol.
Trump also attacked Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the Republican convention is being held. This attack prompted an uproar of support for the city, sometimes referred to as the "The Good Land," "Motorcycle Mecca," and even the "Culinary Capitol of the Midwest."
Wisconsin Republicans scrambled to clean up the gaffe.