Donald Trump has told a rally crowd that he wanted to "make a movie" with a group of "good looking soldiers," comments that have sparked confusion and criticism online.
The 80-year-old described a meeting with "three, handsome, big, strong guys" in which he agreed an extra dollar on a one-off payment for soldiers last December. After discussing the payment, he added: "These guys were so good looking. I wanted to go out immediately and make a movie. Because now I have my secretary, the treasurer and I have my generals."
Online Reaction
The clip was shared online, with Democratic strategist Mike Nellis posting: "I hate to ask this, but is Trump talking about making a porno with a bunch of military guys here? What the f*** is he talking about!?"
Another X user replied: "I’m not listening to it because it might make me vomit. But, I did listen to him in Fort Myers today and he brought up good looking man at least half a dozen times like very awkward very very awkward. I think his doctors are giving him truth serum." A third said: "He has gay dementia. His filter is gone. And yes, it does seem like he's referring to a certain type of 'movie'."
History of Comments on Men's Bodies
The remarks follow a history of Trump commenting on men's physiques. Last week, he said of Senator Jon Husted: "I looked at his a** and then I looked at his legs. I said his a**, 's***, it's like a pile of muscle'. Then I looked at his legs and I said, 'man, his feet are big,' then I looked at his shoulders and I tapped him on the shoulder. And it actually hurt my hand. It was like a piece of steel. I said, 'this guy's a monster.'"
He began that comment by saying: "I'm studying his body. I've never studied the body of a man before. It's not my thing. Nothing wrong with it, of course. But it's never been my thing."
CNN, a frequent target of Trump's "Fake News Media" attacks, has unearthed clips of him praising men's bodies, including saying of NFL quarterback Jaxson Dart: "He's a beautiful guy, he's got legs like tree trunks." He also said of NFL star Harrison Butker: "He's a handsome guy, by the way. It's usually not my thing, but he is a good looking sucker."
CNN's Anderson Cooper commented: "There's nothing at all unusual – and certainly nothing gay – about a President who dances daily to YMCA and who publicly pined for a reprise of Betty Buckley in cats."
