Donald Trump Tries To Make Amends In GOP After Gaffe-Filled Week

<p>Donald Trump tried to mend fences with a few critics within the GOP on Friday. After some high-profile spats with the speaker of the House and two key senators, Trump did an about-face.</p>

Saturday, August 6th 2016, 10:35 am

By: News 9


Donald Trump tried to mend fences with a few critics within the GOP on Friday.

After some high-profile spats with the speaker of the House and two key senators, Trump did an about-face.

CBS News correspondent Errol Barnett reports it's been a tumultuous week for Trump. He attacked a Gold Star family, kicked a baby out of a rally and refused to endorse fellow Republicans in primary races.

That caused turmoil for the party and for his campaign. On Friday night, Trump tried hard to make amends as his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, tried to take advantage of his gaffe-filled week.

Trump tried to heal party divisions Friday by endorsing House Speaker Paul Ryan after refusing to announce his support earlier in the week. He also endorsed two key Senate Republicans.

"I hold in the highest esteem Sen. John McCain," Trump said. "I also fully support and endorse Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire."

Trump admitted he needs the support of the entire coalition to win the general election.

"But I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make," Trump told supporters. "We have to make them."

By his side was running mate Mike Pence, who praised Trump's off-the-cuff style that's found the campaign in trouble.

"He says it like it is, and he will make America great again," Pence said.

The Republican nominee tried to stay on message, hammering Clinton.

"She's a monster, OK?" Trump said.

But he couldn't resist bringing up incidents from earlier in the week, blaming the media.

"The whole place is cracking up, and the next day in the newspaper it said, 'Trump throws baby out of arena,'" he said.

Speaking at a journalism conference, Clinton continued to paint Trump as unsuitable and unprepared for the White House.

"But I do have this old fashioned idea: when you run for president you ought to tell the voters of America what you would do as president," Clinton said. "I want you to hold me accountable, press and citizens alike."

But she couldn't avoid questions related to the investigation into her handling of classified information while secretary of state.

"What I told the FBI, which he said was truthful, is consistent with what I have said publicly," Clinton said. "So I may have short-circuited it, and for that I, you know, will try to clarify."

Trump tried to capitalize on those comments, instantly sending out an anti-Clinton web video.

He also sent out an email and text message to supporters, using his Ryan endorsement as a fundraising opportunity.

And he needs more of those. Earlier this week, the Trump campaign announced more than $80 million in fundraising from last month, but sources told CBS News that after Trump's week of missteps, fundraising has stalled.

© 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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