Trump gets into a Twitter spat with top Republican lawmaker

US President Donald Trump got into a testy Twitter exchange with Republican senator and foreign relations committee chief Bob Corker on Sunday, a move that could potentially imperil key policies aims.

Trump started the fight by claiming in a string of tweets that Corker had “begged” him for his endorsement for his re-election, and dropped out of the race when he declined. He also claimed the senator had asked to be his secretary of state and that he told him. “NO THANKS” (in capital letters).

Corker hit back, tweeting: “It’s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.” That was a reference to White House aides tying to contain Trump from going rogue on Twitter.

The Tennessee senator went on to tell The New York Times that Trump was treating his office like a “reality show” and his actions could push the nation on the “path to World War 3”.

“He concerns me. He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation,” he added.

File photo of senator Bob Corker. (Reuters)

Corker was one of Trump’s early supporters, coming to his side when few in the Republican Party were willing to be seen with the New York billionaire. At one point, he was also considered to be in the race for the vice president’s or secretary of state’s post.

Later, as chairman of the senate foreign relations committee, he developed a close relationship with secretary of state Rex Tillerson, and said he was one of three official who “separate our country from chaos”.

This is not the first time Trump has had a public spat with lawmakers from his own party — there is a long line of them, including Mitch McConnell, Jeff Flake and House Speaker Paul Ryan. This one with Corker is unlikely to be his last.