President Trump on Thursday poked fun at Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) propensity for not wearing a dress jacket during an at times meandering speech celebrating his impeachment acquittal.
“When I first got to know Jim, I said, ‘Huh. He never wears a jacket. What the hell’s going on?'” Trump said as he recognized Jordan in the audience. “He’s obviously very proud of his body.”
“And they say where he works out … the machine starts burning. It’s just a different form of a workout from us,” Trump continued as other lawmakers in attendance laughed.
“But one day I’m looking, and he looks tough, and I’m looking at those ears. And I say, ‘Those ears have something going on there.’ I say, did you ever wrestle?”
Jordan was a successful collegiate wrestler. He’s been as tenacious in House hearings and in television appearances in his defense of Trump and his attacks on the president’s critics. Jordan was moved by House leadership to the House Intelligence Committee during the impeachment hearings to provide a tough voice in defense of Trump.
The president on Thursday praised Jordan, who was wearing a jacket at the White House, as “some warrior,” eliciting applause from others in the room.
Jordan was embroiled in controversy last year when he faced allegations that he ignored sexual misconduct by another coach during his time as a wrestling coach at Ohio State University. Jordan has denied knowing of the coach’s misconduct.
Trump delivered a speech in the East Room of the White House exulting his acquittal in the Senate a day earlier on impeachment charges that he abused his power and obstructed Congress.
Jordan was among several Republican lawmakers who attended Trump’s remarks. Others included Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Doug Collins (Ga.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) and Mark Meadows (N.C.).
The president took time during his remarks to acknowledge each lawmaker in attendance.
Morgan Chalfant contributed.