Trump Says 'I Don't Do This With Men Very Often' While Recalling Examining Senator Jon Husted's Body at Ohio Rally

US President Donald Trump described examining Senator Jon Husted's body during a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday evening after learning about the Republican's college football career. Speaking to supporters, Trump recalled inspecting the senator's physique and commenting on his backside and hands.

The remarks came as Trump campaigned for Husted, who is facing former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy ahead of the midterm elections. Former American football coach Jon Gruden had introduced the president and told him that Husted was once his teammate at the University of Dayton.

Trump Describes His Reaction to Husted's Athletic Past

Trump described his reaction to Gruden's account of the senator's playing days. '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. Look at his hands. He's got these like claws.'

The comments appeared to be intended as praise for Husted's physical build. Trump described turning his attention to the senator after learning that he had been an All-American defensive back at Dayton, where he also played as a kick returner.

Husted earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at the university. Gruden played alongside him on the Dayton Flyers in 1985, according to The Independent.

Trump recounted a conversation in which he initially assumed Gruden had arrived to support him personally. Instead, he discovered that the former coach was there for his old teammate. According to Trump's account, Gruden replied, 'He was the best player on the team.'

Trump Uses Sports To Attack Brown's Senate Campaign

Trump urged Ohio voters to support Husted against Brown, a former US senator seeking to return to office. The president linked his endorsement to a wider attack on his Democratic opponent, claiming without evidence that Brown 'wants to have men playing in women's sports'.

He then turned towards Gruden and discussed the prospect of women playing on men's football teams. Asking the coach whether he had ever desperately wanted a woman on one of his championship teams, Trump raised the example of female kickers.

The discussion broadened to Indiana Fever basketball player Sophie Cunningham, whom Trump suggested placing on a men's team. 'Let's put her on. I like Sophie. Yeah, you'd have a lot of men wanting to go and watch her. She's beautiful. You're not allowed to say that anymore. However, as a politician, please, please let me take it back,' he told the audience.

Trump Responds to Protesters in Youngstown

The rally was also punctuated by interruptions from protesters, drawing insults from the president. During one disruption, Trump accused demonstrators of receiving money from political opponents but provided no supporting evidence in the remarks reported.

'They get paid by the lefties in order to destroy our country. They're scum, but he's going back home to mom...He's got to go on a diet. He's a fat guy,' Trump declared. He also claimed that the protester's parents had voted for him.