GOP ally gives Trump a crude compliment
Rep. Duncan Hunter uses salty language to describe the president to Young Republicans.
SAN DIEGO — Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine), one of President Trump’s first allies in Congress, described him in obscene terms to a group of Republicans on Friday, but also touted the president as their champion.
“He’s just like he is on TV,” Hunter told the group. “He’s an asshole, but he’s our asshole.”
Hunter’s salty assessment was recounted by four people who were present when the congressman spoke at a Riverside County Young Republicans meeting in a Murrieta sports bar. Others who were there posted about Hunter’s comments on social media.
Hunter’s chief of staff did not respond to requests for comment. The House is on recess until Sept. 5.
The lawmaker was speaking at the event alongside Rep. Ken Calvert (RCorona) when he made the comment. According to the sources, a woman asked the two congressmen if they had met Trump and what the president was like.
Calvert said Hunter knew Trump better. According to two people in attendance, Hunter covered his mouth when he made his statement, as if he were telling a secret.
“He put his hand near his mouth like when you are going to whisper something,” Jose Guzman, one of the attendees, said.
The crowd ate up Hunter’s assessment, said Whitney Walsh, who also was there. “They were fine with that answer.”
Hunter said descriptions of Trump’s personality have been accurate, Guzman said. “And he goes, ‘By the way, all the stories you hear about him, they’re true. Except the fake news,’ ” Guzman said
Tami Sims, who was also in attendance, said Hunter’s assessment of the president was shocking.
“I may not be a Trump supporter, but the president of our United States is supposed to be incredibly respected,” she said. “But for someone on his side to say that, it really did surprise me. I thought it was incredibly derogatory.”
Hunter was one of the first members of Congress to back Trump during his campaign for president. Trump later named Hunter his envoy to Congress.
joshua.stewart @sduniontribune.com Stewart writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.