At a Monday night rally in Youngstown, Ohio, President Donald Trump called on supporters to back Senator Jon Husted in his reelection race. Husted, the Republican senator from Ohio, is running against former Senator Sherrod Brown in what has been described as a difficult contest. Trump also expressed support for Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for governor.
He told the crowd, “We have to get Vivek, and we have to get John, gotta get them in,” according to Mediaite. Trump followed that by saying, “And I think they will. I think we’re gonna be in good shape.” The comments focused on turning out votes for both candidates.
Trump then moved into remarks about Husted’s physical appearance. He noted that he was standing nearby and stated he does not typically examine men this way. Trump explained that he began looking over the senator’s body after learning he had been a strong athlete.
Trump links his observations of Husted to college sports background and Jon Gruden
Husted is 59 and was an all-American defensive back during his time at the University of Dayton. Trump referenced that history while describing what he noticed. He said, “But I’m standing over here, and I don’t do this with men very often. I started examining his body because I didn’t know he was a great athlete. And I looked, and I watched up and down. I looked at his a– and I looked at the whole– and then I looked at his hands.”
Trump continued by pointing out specific details. “Look at his hands. He’s got these, like, claws. And I got it. You are a great athlete. I didn’t know that because he doesn’t talk about that. Congratulations. Now, they finally know. That was very good.” He indicated that the athletic record explained the features he observed.
Trump said former NFL coach Jon Gruden had informed him about Husted’s past. “And it was Jon Gruden that told me that,” he stated. “We would’ve never known. And you made a great speech. He’s a fantastic man. He’s a very respected guy.” The president then shifted to wishing attendees a happy Columbus Day.
Trump has made similar comments about the physiques of male athletes at other events. Offbeat remarks at rallies are nothing new, and Trump floated a Trump Ocean at one of them. During a May rally in New York, he discussed New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. Trump said, “No, I’m looking at the legs.” He added, “He’s this beautiful guy. He’s got legs like tree trunks! This is not a good thing for women. This would not be good. No, it’s no good.”
The Youngstown remarks tied Husted’s college defensive back experience to the observations about his hands and overall build. Trump presented those details after the voting appeal and before the Columbus Day comment, unlike when Trump made sure Cassidy lost his primary.
Published: Oct 13, 2026 08:30 am