President Donald Trump has repeatedly drawn attention to Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s physique during the final stretch of the 2026 midterm election campaign, claiming that his comments helped improve Husted’s polling numbers. The remarks have become a recurring feature of Trump’s campaign appearances, even as voters remain concerned about gas prices, the economy and the war involving Iran.
During a Sunday, October 25, interview with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, Trump argued that his comments about Husted’s appearance had a significant impact on the Ohio Senate race. Kudlow had been discussing whether Republicans could retain their congressional majority when Trump shifted the conversation to Husted.
Trump claimed that Husted’s polling numbers had increased by approximately 14 points following a rally where he praised the senator’s physical strength. However, Trump did not identify the specific polls supporting that claim.
The full interview transcript is available through Roll Call’s Factba.se transcript of Trump’s interview with Larry Kudlow.
Ohio Senate Race Remains Closely Contested
Despite Trump’s claims about the impact of his remarks, polling cited by CNN indicated that the Ohio Senate race remained competitive, with former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown potentially holding a slight advantage in some surveys.
The race is an important contest as Republicans and Democrats compete for control of the Senate during the 2026 midterm elections.
More details about the polling are available in CNN’s October 8 report on Senate and gubernatorial races in Ohio and Iowa.
Husted has also publicly acknowledged the attention surrounding Trump’s comments. Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, he joked that the remarks had given him a reason to spend more time at the gym.
“I told my wife, I’m like, ‘Hey, I think I got to get down to the gym and keep up my reputation,’” Husted said.
Trump has continued returning to the subject at campaign events, presenting his comments as a benefit to Husted’s campaign.
Trump Shifts Attention From Economic Concerns
Trump’s repeated remarks about Husted have come as his administration faces questions about the cost of living, gasoline prices and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
During a Saturday rally in Georgia, Trump defended his comments about the economic consequences of the conflict, arguing that the United States was making substantial money despite the financial pressures facing consumers.
“I don’t give a damn. I’m gonna say it. We’re making a freaking fortune,” Trump said while discussing the prospect of negative headlines about his comments and the cost of fuel.
His remarks came amid continued concerns about gasoline prices and the broader economic effects of the conflict. CNN has reported on the relationship between oil prices, gasoline costs and Trump’s Iran policy.
Rather than keeping his campaign appearances focused exclusively on economic issues, Trump has repeatedly returned to personal comments about candidates’ appearances.
Trump Also Targets Other Senate Candidates
Trump’s remarks about Husted have not been limited to Ohio.
During a campaign stop in Michigan on Sunday, the president revisited the story and joked about his usual comments concerning women’s appearances. He also referenced rapper Nicki Minaj, who has publicly supported him.
Trump then directed a similar remark toward former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican Senate candidate in Michigan, suggesting that comparable praise could help Rogers secure victory.
The comments illustrate how Trump has incorporated personal humor and remarks about physical appearance into his campaign appearances during the closing days of the midterm election season.
Trump has also publicly criticized Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate, including remarks about Paxton’s clothing and personal presentation. CNN previously reported on Trump’s insults directed at Paxton and his description of the Texas Republican as “a pain in the ass”.
Trump Has a History of Comments About Appearance
Trump’s focus on candidates’ physical appearance is not new. During the 2024 presidential campaign, he made widely reported comments about the genitalia of golf legend Arnold Palmer at a rally.
He also discussed women’s appearances during interviews with radio host Howard Stern before entering presidential politics. CNN previously examined Trump’s comments about women during his appearances on Stern’s radio program.
During his second term, gender roles and masculinity have also featured prominently in political debates surrounding the administration and its allies.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has posted workout videos on social media and advocated making testosterone therapy more accessible to military personnel. CNN has reported on Hegseth’s position on testosterone therapy in the military.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also attracted attention for posting workout videos, including footage of himself exercising in jeans.
At a Florida rally the previous week, Trump praised Kennedy’s physique, telling the audience that Kennedy had “the body of a 30-year-old.” The remarks were reported in CNN’s October 23 live coverage of the 2026 midterm elections.
Obama Comments on Democratic Candidates’ Appearance
Trump is not the only former or current president to make comments about candidates’ physical appearance during the campaign’s final stretch.
Former President Barack Obama praised Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan, during a weekend rally in Detroit. Obama joked about El-Sayed’s muscular build and his preference for wearing black V-neck T-shirts while campaigning.
“You see those big guns, that’s why he wears those T-shirts,” Obama said. The remarks appear in the transcript of Obama’s Detroit campaign event.
Obama also commented on Brown’s appearance during a rally supporting the Ohio Democrat. Referring to Brown’s long-standing style of dress, Obama joked that the senator was still wearing the same suit he had worn when they first met approximately 20 years ago.
Obama presented the comment as an illustration of Brown’s focus on representing Ohioans rather than his own image. His remarks were part of a broader effort to support Brown’s bid to return to the Senate, documented in Obama’s remarks at a Cleveland rally supporting Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton.
As the 2026 midterm campaigns approach Election Day, Trump’s repeated comments about Husted’s physique have become a recurring talking point in the Ohio Senate contest. Voters will ultimately decide the race, while the candidates and their supporters continue campaigning on issues ranging from the economy and energy costs to leadership and national policy.
