Donald Trump praised Republican candidates for their looks at a Kentucky rally on Saturday. He called Ed Gallrein a beautiful guy and described Jon Husted as a perfect, good-looking person. Meanwhile, a new ABC News/Washington Post poll showed Democrats leading congressional races by eight points ahead of the midterm elections.
Donald Trump praises Republican candidates for their looks ahead of the US midterm elections, while a poll shows Democrats leading congressional races by eight points.
Ahead of the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump has pivoted to a new pitch for the Republican candidates: they're good-looking. At a rally in Kentucky on Saturday, Trump said, "Look at this beautiful guy," referring to US House candidate Ed Gallrein, a former US Navy SEAL who stood near the stage. The Republican leader then went on to admit: "I examined his a**", talking about Senator Jon Husted.
Trump's focus on candidates' looks
The statement by Trump has now become a common refrain. The US President previously co-owned the Miss Universe beauty pageant (1996-2015) and grew his influence on the reality television show "The Apprentice" before entering politics. The Republican leader is now using the aesthetics barometer for appraisals to boost his party's candidates' chances in the November polls, which already has debates over which candidate is more masculine.
Republicans face a tough midterm battle
Several polls suggest that in the upcoming midterm elections, the Trump-led Republican Party is set to face a setback, with Democrats leading the race till now. The electoral outcome holds particular significance as it'll determine whether Republicans keep control of Congress or the US President will face an emboldened Democratic opposition in the corridors of Washington.
Trump praises Republican candidates
After praising Gallrein's looks, Trump mentioned Senator Jon Husted, a Republican leader who is running for reelection from Ohio, and described him as "a perfect person, good-looking guy."
Talking about Republicans' nominee for Georgia governor, Trump said, "And I actually think that Rick Jackson is a very handsome, distinguished, beautiful-looking guy."
Democrats lead in latest voter survey
In the Congressional district elections voter survey, Democratic candidates are leading with an 8-percentage-point margin over the Republican candidate, 52% to 44%, according to the latest ABC News/ Washington Post poll. Nearly 7 in 10 said that gasoline is unaffordable and that the United States is headed in the wrong direction, the poll showed.