Trump Details Private Chat with Ex-Press Secretary, Praises RFK Jr.'s Physique at Florida Rally

Former President Donald Trump recounted a private conversation he had with then-White House press secretary Katie Zacharia shortly before her departure from the role, during a rally in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday. He also drew attention to the physical condition of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., remarking that he possessed "the body of a 30-year-old."

Trump's remarks about Zacharia came as he complained about reporters pressing him with questions as he was leaving the White House. "They want to know so many different things. What about this? What about this?" Trump said, according to reports. He then described Zacharia's reaction to the intense questioning.

"No wonder that poor young woman – she was a perfect, beautiful woman – when she walked into that press room and they started screaming at her, she freaked out," Trump stated at the rally. He recounted telling Zacharia, "you know what, there are nicer ways for you to make a living. You want to deal with these maniacs? You can deal if you want, but there are easier ways for you to live," before she left the position.

Zacharia's tenure as press secretary lasted only five days, during which she conducted one 14-minute press briefing. Trump made these comments while supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Representative Byron Donalds and Senator Ashley Moody, who is running in a special election.

Later in his approximately 90-minute speech, Trump turned his attention to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., inviting him to the stage. "By the way, seriously, did anybody ever see the build, the body on Bobby?" Trump asked the crowd. "He's got the body of a 30-year-old." Kennedy's fitness regimen and diet have previously garnered media attention.

Trump also highlighted Kennedy's political stance and family background, stating, "He's a Republican and he's the most important Kennedy in the Kennedy family by far." He acknowledged that such a statement might create difficulties for Kennedy but added, "we can handle problems, right?"

The former president also touched on the Florida races, criticizing Moody's Democratic opponent, Florida state Representative Angie Nixon, calling her a "Marxist maniac." He also disparaged former Republican Representative David Jolly, who is running as a Democrat for Florida governor, stating, "He was thrown out of the party like a dog."

Trump also briefly addressed his defense of an advertisement run by Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The ad featured the estranged mother of Ramaswamy's Democratic rival, Dr. Amy Acton, a detail related to Acton's childhood.