A report about the mood among Republican leaders facing the increasing probability of major Democratic gains in the 2018 midterm elections contains a disturbing comment attributed to President Donald Trump.

Discussing electoral possibilities, the president indicated that an attack by terrorists on U.S. soil would be helpful to the Republican Party, according to multiple sources. He specifically cited the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the U.S.

“In private conversations, Trump has told advisers that he doesn’t think the 2018 election has to be as bad as others are predicting,” the Washington Post explains. “He has referenced the 2002 midterms, when George W. Bush and Republicans fared better after the September 11 terrorist attacks, these people said.”

The article did not contain information on how the individuals present reacted when Trump made the remarks.

Vox quickly published a response about the “terrifying” implications of Trump’s comments, which would be alarming coming from any public figure, much less the Commander-in-Chief of the United States.