Trump Rallies for Rogers in Michigan: Defends His Remarks, Hints Canada Trade Dispute Will Settle Soon

President Donald Trump addressed a rally in Michigan on Sunday in support of Mike Rogers, the Republican Senate candidate in the state. With both parties scrambling for control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, the Michigan Senate race between Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed remains neck and neck, according to the report.

Much of Trump's speech was taken up by his recent comments about other people's bodies. He described his earlier remarks as having been made 'in fun' and called the media buzz about them 'fake news', saying the athletic context of his statements had been neglected.

Trump said his comments about Ohio Republican senator Jon Husted earlier in October came after he learned that Husted had been a college football player. On Sunday he said that 'looking at him up and down, and studying him' had followed from that athletic background, and that he had also congratulated Husted as a great athlete.

Rapper Nicki Minaj attended Sunday's rally. According to the New York Post, cited in the report, Minaj was dressed head-to-toe in Gucci and was seen walking with Trump after leaving Air Force One. When Trump made remarks about Minaj from the stage, the crowd responded with cheers.

Trump said he hoped Minaj was not insulted, adding that they love her and that she has been with them for a long time.

Trump's earlier remarks about Husted were made just over a week ago in Kentucky, at an event Husted did not attend. There, too, he spoke about Husted's shoulders, feet, hands and jawline, and said that patting him on the shoulder had felt like touching a piece of steel.

Trump also praised the appearance of Ed Gallrein, the Republican congressional candidate from Kentucky. In Trump's account, while looking for a replacement for the anti-MAGA incumbent Thomas Massie, Gallrein walked through the door and Trump described him as a beautiful guy.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about why the president has been discussing others' bodies, according to the report.

Trump's comments come amid criticism of his language style, which some have likened to grotesquerie.

Meanwhile, at a Saturday rally for El-Sayed, former president Barack Obama joked about Trump's White House renovation efforts, saying the White House was looking like Saddam Hussein had opened a Cheesecake Factory.

At the Michigan rally Trump also spoke about the trade war with Canada. He said Canada had been ripping off the US for years and that he had had to impose tariffs. He added that the dispute would soon be settled and that Canada was willing to give the US anything at this moment.