Harris Recounts Trump’s Physical Praise for Husted
Vice President Kamala Harris shared anecdotes regarding President Donald Trump’s comments about Ohio Senator Jon Husted’s physical appearance during a recent campaign stop. While defending Trump’s humorous and unconventional style of engagement, Harris quoted the former president describing Husted as a "monster" with a physique resembling "a pile of muscle." The vice president highlighted specific remarks Trump made about Husted’s body during their interactions, noting that Trump described the senator's "ass, shit" as looking like "a pile of muscle."
Harris detailed the sequence of events leading to Trump's characterization of Husted. She explained that after observing Husted’s legs and noting his large feet, Trump tapped the senator on the shoulder. According to Harris, Trump then remarked, "Then I looked at his shoulders, and I tapped him on the shoulder, and it actually hurt my hand. He’s like a piece of steel. I said, ‘This guy’s a monster.’" These quotes were presented by Harris as evidence of the former president's unique approach to political interaction.
Characterizing Trump as a Comedian
Harris used the anecdote to characterize Trump’s approach to public interaction, describing the former president as "at heart a comedian" who "loves to get up there and shake things up a little bit." She added that she views him as a politician who "doesn’t take himself so seriously," citing the comments about Husted as an example of this demeanor. This defense was part of a broader effort to frame Trump's rhetoric as unconventional rather than inappropriate.
During her remarks, Harris also made personal references to the attention Trump had paid to Husted’s appearance. She quipped, "First of all, I’m jealous. The president’s never said that about me." She added, "I’ve got to get back in the gym maybe and draw that particular piece of praise," after describing Trump’s remark as one of her favorites. These personal asides were intended to underscore the informal nature of the former president's engagement style.
Pattern of Attention on Husted’s Physique
The vice president’s comments highlight a pattern of attention from President Trump toward Senator Husted. Reports indicate that Trump has repeatedly drawn attention to the GOP senator’s "great" and "very powerful ass" in public settings and on social media platforms. This focus on physical attributes has been a consistent element of Trump's commentary regarding Husted.
Before emphasizing Husted’s physical attributes, Trump has stated that the senator has a "very nice body." He has coupled these observations with political endorsements, asserting that Husted will "make a much better senator for the people of the United States of America than the lunatic he’s running against," referring to his opponent, Brown. This juxtaposition of physical praise and political critique was central to Trump's messaging during these interactions.
Local Political Context
The comments emerged during Trump’s campaign activities in Ohio. During this same period, Ross County Democrats criticized Senator Husted, according to reports covering the event. The criticism from local Democratic officials occurred amidst the broader national attention focused on Trump's remarks about Husted's physique.