Politico’s Mike Allen reported last month that reality star/businessman/attention seeker Donald Trump is building his political stature as a top surrogate for Mitt Romney. The controversial figure is supposedly “gaining juice and respectability in national politics,” Allen reports, has recorded robo-calls ahead of key primary battles and participated in “a ton of talk radio for Romney in Michigan, Arizona and Ohio.” The Donald even received personal “thank you” shout outs from Ann Romney during multiple campaign victory speeches.
It’a curious relationship and one that may prove dangerous for the Massachusetts governor, as he courts independent voters ahead of the general election. Trump is a shameless and at times unpredictable self-promoter whose history of misogyny will do little to help Romney’s low standing with women voters. After all, this is the same guy who described Rosie O’Donnell as a “very unattractive woman both inside and out” and a “fat slob,” allegedly required Miss USA pageant contestant to parade in front of him “so he could separate out those he found sexually appealing from those he did not,” and suggested that he would be dating his daughter and her “very nice figure” if he were not her father. Just yesterday, Trump inserted himself into the controversy surrounding a transgender contestant who had been disqualified from participating in his Miss Universe competition by offering to show his penis:
Donald Trump is confident … attorney Gloria Allred would be blown away by his man junk.
The Donald called in to TMZ Live moments ago, claiming, “I think Gloria would be very very impressed with [my penis].”
Donald’s genitals became a topic of contention earlier today during Gloria’s news conference with transgender beauty queen Jenna Talackova — when Gloria said, Jenna “didn’t ask Mr. Trump to prove he’s a naturally born man, or see photos of his birth, or to view his anatomy … It made no difference to her.”
But it makes a difference to Donald, who said he’d be willing to show what he’s got … if Gloria’s willing to pay the right price.
Donald also said he wouldn’t apologize for disqualifying Jenna last week from the Miss Universe pageant on the basis of her birth gender — even though he later reversed his position — and added, he “couldn’t care less” if Jenna even competes.
Romney courted Trump’s endorsement and even appeared alongside him to accept his support. And while one can’t ascribe Trump’s sexist comments to Romney, it’s a wonder that he feels so comfortable with Trump representing his candidacy to voters.