Trump snaps at ABC reporter over question on Republicans avoiding GOP convention

President Trump hit back at a question Thursday over why some Republican candidates were skipping the midterm GOP convention in Dallas, saying there isn’t room for everyone.

Trump said, “everybody wants to come,” to the convention and questioned the reporter, Mary Bruce of ABC, on what outlet she was with.

He bashed her outlet before going on to say that the reason some weren’t attending the convention is “we don’t have room for 500 politicians.”

“We have room for the ones that have a close race, if they’re slightly behind or slightly ahead or tied,” he said. “But we don’t have room for people that are 35 points up and don’t need to be there.”

“We said stay back and campaign,” he continued. “Every politician that we’ve wanted to be there is there.”

The midterm convention is set for Thursday and Friday. Some Republicans are skipping the event , which has been branded as a “Trump-a-palooza.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is one of the most prominent figures who has decided to skip the convention amid facing a tough reelection battle.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has also said he will skip and spend time with his constituents. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) will also be missing the convention.

Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (Fla.), Tom Barrett (Mich.), Juan Ciscomani (Ariz.), Zach Nunn (Iowa) and David Valadao (Calif.) have also decided to miss the convention, CNN reported.

The convention has sparked mixed emotions among Republicans who point to the possible political risk of being closely tied to Trump before the election amid high costs and the Iran war.