President Donald Trump used a signing ceremony for a new North American trade agreement Wednesday to praise Republicans who have defended him during his impeachment trial – and inviting half the sitting GOP senators who are hearing his case.

With the full Senate meeting just hours later during a critical new phase of his impeachment trial, Trump made no effort to mask the power play he and his advisors orchestrated.

As he read through the list of 27 individual GOP senators invited to attend the event, Trump observed: 'Maybe I'm just being nice to them because I want their vote.'

He singled out Indiana Mike Braun for his defenses of the president, saying he has become 'a big fixture on television and has been doing a great job. Braun regularly has appeared with other Republicans to do interviews during trial breaks. Trump said Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was 'dying to get back there and ask those questions' – referencing the next impeachment trial phase.

'He's got some beauties, I bet. Thank you, Ted, you've been incredible.' Cruz has also been facing the cameras to defend Trump during impeachment.

And he said new appointed Georgia senator Kelly Loeffler has been 'really great,' adding: 'They already like you a lot.'

She torched Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah for saying he wants to hear from John Bolton in the trial. Trump on Twitter has waged a campaign to attack Bolton and argue against his appearance as a witness.