David Lynch walks back Trump praise: 'You are causing suffering'

"Unfortunately, if you continue as you have been, you will not have a chance to go down in history as a great president," the "Twin Peaks" auteur, regarded as one of the greatest American filmmakers of his generation, said in a Facebook post.

"This would be very sad it seems for you -- and for the country. You are causing suffering and division."

Lynch told The Guardian that Trump could "could go down as one of the greatest presidents in history" because he had delivered a badly-needed shakeup of Washington politics.

The 72-year-old director of "Mulholland Drive" and "Wild at Heart" said he was undecided on whether Trump was doing a good job, but thought the Republican tycoon had opened up a space for other outsiders.

Trump promptly retweeted a Breitbart article on Lynch's comments headlined, "Director David Lynch: Trump 'Could Go Down as One of the Greatest Presidents in History.'"

"I wish you and I could sit down and have a talk," Lynch posted on Facebook, addressing the president directly.

"This quote which has traveled around was taken a bit out of context and would need some explaining."

Lynch urged Trump to "turn the ship around... toward a bright future for all."

"You can unite the country. Your soul will sing. Under great loving leadership, no one loses -- everybody wins," he added.

"It's something I hope you think about and take to heart. All you need to do is treat all the people as you would like to be treated."