President Trump Uses Rallies to Judge Candidates by Looks, Praising Allies and Mocking Opponents
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At recent campaign events, President Trump turned candidate appearances into a spectacle, lavishing praise on Republicans while insulting Democrats’ looks in remarks that underscored the crude tone of the election season.
President Trump highlighted the appearance of U.S. House candidate Ed Gallrein at a rally in Kentucky, describing him as "a beautiful guy" and likening his look to a casting call. He later praised Ohio Senator Jon Husted, calling him "a perfect person, good-looking guy," and detailed his assessment of Husted's physical features.
During a midterm convention in Texas, Trump said he did not like the way Senate candidate Ken Paxton looked, adding that Paxton's record "speaks a lot louder than the suit he's wearing." He also compared Democratic candidate James Talarico to a cartoon mascot and Senator Jon Ossoff to a comedy character, while endorsing Republican Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia.
"I examined his ass," Trump said of Husted, prompting laughter from the audience.
"Somebody said, 'He's a good-looking man,' I don't think he's a good-looking man," Trump said of Ossoff, adding that he considered Mike Collins "a good-looking man, and he's all man."
Trump also complimented Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, calling him "very handsome, distinguished, beautiful-looking."
The remarks came as Republicans and Democrats vie for control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.