Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
President Donald Trump mocked Kamala Harris’ appearance during a Tennessee rally, sarcastically calling the former vice president “beautiful” as female MAGA supporters standing behind him laughed along with the derogatory crack.
Trump, as he is known to do, appeared to stray from his prepared remarks Saturday at the midterm rally for Tennessee Republican candidates as he recalled campaign rallies held by Harris and former President Joe Biden during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Remember that beautiful Kamala? Somebody said she’s so beautiful. Really?” Trump cracked.
Several women behind Trump guffawed at the remark. One gave Harris a thumbs-down, while another vigorously shook her head.
Trump has repeatedly commented on Harris’ appearance, at times calling her “beautiful” while then insisting he is better-looking than his 2024 presidential election opponent.
During a livestreamed conversation with Elon Musk in August 2024, Trump discussed a Time magazine cover featuring an illustration of Harris and scrutinized her appearance.
“She looks like the most beautiful actress ever to live. Actually, she looked very much like a great first lady, Melania. She didn’t look like Kamala,” Trump told Musk. “But of course, she’s a beautiful woman, so we’ll leave it at that, right?”
Less than a week later, Trump returned to the subject during a rally in Pennsylvania.
“Don’t ever call a woman beautiful, because that’ll be the end of your political career,” Trump told the cheering crowd. “But I say that I am much better looking. I’m a better-looking person than Kamala.”
Elsewhere during Saturday’s rally, Trump aired his grievances with his wife, Melania Trump, claiming she disapproves of his speaking style.
“My wife hates when I do this. She says it’s ‘not at all elegant’ and ‘not presidential.’ I said it may not be presidential, but I won the election in a landslide,” he said.
Trump praised Melania as “a very elegant woman” before discussing her documentary, which he claimed was the No. 1 film of the year.
“And I don’t like that it’s the No. 1 movie. You know why? There’s only room for one star in a family, so I don’t need this movie stuff,” he added.
