Donald Trump to congressman who was shot: ‘That’s a hell of a way to lose weight’

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared outside the White House Wednesday afternoon, celebrating his tax reform‘s victory.

The president named off members of the Republican party who helped champion the bill, and eventually ushered it through successful votes in the U.S. House of Representatives. One of those people was Congressman Steve Scalise, who was seriously injured in a shooting earlier this year.

READ MORE: U.S. tax bill headed for Donald Trump’s final signature, approved by House

“Steve Scalise is braver than all of us,” the president said during the press conference.

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Then, this comments took an unexpected turn.

WATCH: Scalise remembers praying as he lay bleeding on baseball field

0:23 Scalise remembers praying as he lay bleeding on baseball field

“Oh, man. He had a rougher year than all of us. That’s a hell of a way to lose weight, Steve.”

“Not a good way. We love you, Steve.”

Trump’s remark on Scalise’s health prompted surprised reactions on Twitter, many pointing out that the politician’s health is not a joke.

READ MORE: Steve Scalise returns to Capitol Hill following Virginia GOP shooting

Scalise spent about one month in hospital after a gunman sprayed fire at a baseball practice in Virginia. The politician was struck in the hip; the bullet tore into blood vessels, bones and internal organs. He returned to work in September, about three months after the incident.

— With files from The Associated Press