Trump reported backing Corker’s reelection

Media reports on Monday suggest that President Donald Trump, despite his much-publicized disputes with Sen. Bob Corker, is encouraging the Tennessean to seek another term in office. Corker, of course, says he’s undecided about whether to run for reelection.

First paragraphs of an Associated Press report:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — President Donald Trump is encouraging Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee to run for another term, according to two people familiar with a meeting between the two Republicans at the White House last week.

The Friday meeting was the first between Corker and Trump since they clashed over the president’s comments about a violent white supremacist rally in Virginia last month.

The people familiar with the discussion declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the conversation publicly. The White House declined comment on Monday.

The people familiar with the discussion declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the conversation publicly. The White House declined comment on Monday.

First paragraphs of a Washington Examiner report:

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said Monday that the Trump administration has given him “no reason to believe” that it would encourage a primary challenge against him if he does seek re-election in 2018.

…“I’ve always expected that if I run, that I’ll have a primary. I have no indications whatsoever that the administration would encourage that … We see no evidence of it,” Corker told reporters in the Capitol Monday.

“I have no reason to believe the administration would encourage a primary. None,” he added later on, repeating the line multiple times.

Corker made these comments after it was reported that Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist and current Breitbart News chairman, could target Corker as part of his plan to take out a handful of Republican incumbents who’ve been critical of Trump, including Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Dean Heller, R-Nev.

“I’ve had no conversations with Bannon about it, and I don’t know that he’s actually specifically — I hear sources say that, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say that,” Corker said.