Trump’s Kentucky Rally Highlights: Tariff Talk, Jake Paul, Dr. Oz Praises, and Jabs at Newsom and Massie

During a rally in Kentucky on Tuesday, President Trump passionately reaffirmed his commitment to tariffs as his administration devises strategies to implement these duties despite last month’s contentious Supreme Court decision.

Speaking to a lively crowd in Hebron, Kentucky, Trump didn’t shy away from criticizing his adversaries and even introduced a rising star in his political sphere.

The president proudly recalled using the concept of tariffs as leverage to press drug companies into lowering prescription drug prices, labeling it a “beautiful word.” However, he humorously noted that it was no longer his top favorite due to the backlash from the media.

“I used to say it was my favorite word… but the fake news gave me a hard time,” Trump remarked. “They asked, ‘What about your wife? What about God? What about religion? What about your children?’… Alright, it’s my fifth favorite word now. That way, I stay out of trouble.”

This tariff talk comes as the Trump administration gears up to initiate new trade investigations that could lead to more tariffs being imposed.

The president intends to utilize Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to assess whether key trading partners have policies that unfairly target U.S. goods or breach trade agreements. These investigations are a direct reaction to the Supreme Court’s rejection of Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose “reciprocal” and “fentanyl” tariffs.

Trump later stirred up his supporters with blistering attacks against California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who represents Hebron in Congress.  

The president accused Newsom – a potential 2028 White House hopeful – of being unfit for the Oval Office because he has “mental problems.”

Using his “Gavin Newscum” nickname, Trump claimed the Golden State governor “admitted he has mental problems, that he’s not a smart person.”

In his memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” Newsom wrote about his struggle with dyslexia, a common learning disability.

“He’s unable to read a speech, he can’t read, and all of the other things he said. He said he has a lot of mental problems,” Trump continued.

“Nothing’s wrong with it, but I don’t want the president of the United States to have a cognitive deficiency,” Trump said, adding, “When he admitted this, I said, I think he just lost the Democrat nomination.”

Meanwhile, Trump argued Massie has been disloyal, describing the congressman as a “loser” who needs to be voted out of office immediately.

“He is the worst person,” Trump said as he went on a long riff against the Kentucky Republican. “There’s something wrong with him.”

“I just can’t stand this guy.”

Trump described the seven-term Republican congressman as a “disaster” for Republicans. 

The president has endorsed Massie’s opponent, Ed Gallrein, in the May primary, and brought the candidate on stage with him during the rally – noting that Gallrein is “strong as hell.”

“He shook my hand. My hand is still recovering,” the president quipped. 

Near the end of the rally, Trump brought boxer and supporter Jake Paul on stage and predicted the social media star will some day run for office. 

“I’m going to make a prediction that you will be, in the not too distant future, running for political office,” Trump said. 

“And you have my complete and total endorsement,” the president added. 

Paul, 29, was born and raised in neighboring Ohio.

He told the crowd that the president has taught him the value of “courage” and to “never back down from a fight.”  

“We need more factories like this thriving all over the country,” Paul said. “And I know [Trump’s] going to be the one to bring that here to us.” 

The rally was delayed for several minutes midway through Trump’s speech when an elderly woman in the crowd behind the president fainted. 

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and a trained cardiothoracic surgeon, came to the woman’s rescue and helped bring her back to her feet.

“It’s Dr. Oz. Can you believe it?,” Trump said.

When the woman stood up, Trump raised his hands in victory.

“He’s a good doctor. Thank you, Oz,” the president said before returning to his remarks.