Donald Trump is promoting Republican candidates in the midterm elections by praising their appearance, calling one contender “beautiful” and closely assessing another’s physique during a rally in Kentucky.
Trump described Ed Gallrein, a former US Navy SEAL standing near the stage, as “Central casting” before telling the crowd: “Look at this beautiful guy.”
The president, who previously owned the Miss Universe beauty pageant and rose to prominence through the reality television show The Apprentice, has long made physical appearance part of his public judgements.
His comments come as Republicans campaign to retain control of Congress, with the contest also featuring debates over masculinity and the personal image of candidates.
At the Kentucky rally, Trump also praised Senator Jon Husted, the Ohio Republican seeking re-election, describing him as “a perfect person, good-looking guy.”
He then offered a detailed appraisal, saying: “I examined his ass. I never did that with a man before. I examined his ass. And then I looked at his shoulders. I looked at his feet. I looked at his hand. I looked at his jawline.”
Trump had made a similar assessment of Husted at an earlier rally in Ohio, where he also highlighted the senator’s background as a college football player.
Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton has received a less favourable review. Speaking at the party’s midterm convention in Texas, Trump said: “I don’t really like the way he looks,” as Paxton stood nearby smiling.
Trump said Paxton’s record as attorney general “speaks a lot louder than the suit he’s wearing that doesn’t look so great”. He has also compared Paxton’s Democratic opponent, James Talarico, to Alfred E. Neuman, the freckled, gap-toothed mascot of MAD magazine.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff was another target during a rally for his Republican challenger, Representative Mike Collins, in Georgia. Trump compared Ossoff to Pee-wee Herman, saying he did not consider him good-looking.
“I actually think Mike Collins is a good-looking man, and he’s all man,” Trump said.
He went on to praise the Republican nominee for Georgia governor, Rick Jackson, as “a very handsome, distinguished, beautiful-looking guy”, before adding: “But anyway.”
