Trump comments on Nicki Minaj’s appearance at Michigan rally for Mike Rogers

Donald Trump commented on rapper Nicki Minaj’s buttocks during a Michigan rally on Sunday, October 25, while campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The remarks came as Trump defended earlier statements about the physique of Republican Ohio senator Jon Husted, saying news coverage had overlooked their connection to Husted’s athletic background.

Rogers is competing against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in a closely contested Senate race as Republicans and Democrats seek control of Congress in the approaching midterm elections. Trump’s appearance in support of Rogers included both his discussion of other people’s bodies and comments about tariffs and the trade dispute between the United States and Canada.

Earlier in October, Trump described looking over Husted after learning that the senator had played college football. His account included observations about Husted’s buttocks and hands, followed by congratulations on his athletic ability. At Sunday’s rally, Trump called the coverage “fake news” and said he had been studying Husted because he had just discovered his sporting background. He characterized his remark about looking at a man’s buttocks as a joke.

Trump then turned his attention to Minaj, complimenting her buttocks and asking her to stand as members of the audience cheered. After saying he would return to his story, he expressed hope that she had not been offended and praised her longstanding support. The New York Post reported that Minaj was wearing Gucci throughout her outfit and had been seen walking with Trump after leaving Air Force One.

Trump had also discussed Husted’s appearance at an event in Kentucky just over a week earlier, although the senator was not present. In that account, Trump described examining Husted’s shoulders, feet, hands and jawline as well as his buttocks. He also said that patting Husted on the shoulder had felt like touching steel.

Another recent compliment concerned Ed Gallrein, a Republican congressional candidate in Kentucky. While recounting his search for someone to replace Thomas Massie, the anti-Maga incumbent, Trump described being impressed by Gallrein’s appearance when he entered the room. The White House did not immediately answer a request for comment on Trump’s discussions of other people’s bodies.

The remarks followed criticism of Trump’s language, which some have described as grotesque. At a Saturday rally supporting El-Sayed, former president Barack Obama mocked Trump’s White House renovations, comparing their appearance to a Cheesecake Factory opened by Saddam Hussein.

On trade, Trump told the Michigan audience that the dispute with Canada would be resolved soon. He defended imposing tariffs by accusing Canada of taking advantage of the United States for years and claimed that Canada was now willing to offer whatever the United States wanted.