Trump Again Praises Senator Husted's Physique, Recalls 'Inspection'

President Donald Trump again spoke at length about Senator Jon Husted’s physique on Saturday, telling supporters in Kentucky that he once conducted a comprehensive physical examination of the Ohio Republican. This marks the second time in October that Trump has made detailed comments about Husted's body.

"I stood right over here, and I examined his a**. I never did that— no, I never did that with a man before," Trump stated at Northern Kentucky University’s Truist Arena. He continued to describe looking at Husted's shoulders, feet, hands, and jawline, remarking on the senator's strong jaw.

The president had previously made a similar observation about Husted's body at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, earlier this month. At that event, Trump recalled patting Husted on the shoulder and describing the feeling as "like a piece of steel."

Trump claimed that Husted had gained significant support since he began commenting on the senator's physique. However, recent polling data suggests Husted is trailing his Democratic opponent, Sherrod Brown, in the race for an Ohio Senate seat. A Bowling Green State University poll indicated Brown leading Husted by six points, with the Democrat's advantage widening since September. The RealClearPolitics polling average shows Brown ahead by more than three points, and a Marist survey placed Brown up by eight.

Trump dismissed Brown as "a very bad candidate, a failed senator" while asserting that Husted "has a really good chance" to win. Husted was appointed to fill JD Vance’s former Senate seat and is now in a special election against Brown.

The rally in Kentucky was officially intended to support Republican candidates Andy Barr, running for Mitch McConnell’s open Senate seat, and congressional candidate Ed Gallrein. Despite this, Trump dedicated a portion of his speech to his remarks about Husted, a senator from a different state.

Trump's appearance in Kentucky is part of a series of campaign stops in red states, including recent visits to Ohio and Georgia, as Republicans work to retain control of Congress ahead of the midterm elections. With less than three weeks until the election, Trump appears confident that his public statements are influencing voter perceptions, despite pollster data to the contrary.

The White House has been contacted for comment on the president's remarks.