The former president lauded the Ohio congressman’s athletic record, omitting the scandal at the center of his coaching career
Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan in the race to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. In his endorsement, the former president largely skipped over highlighting Jordan’s record in government, instead choosing to laud his achievements as a collegiate wrestler.
“Congressman Jim Jordan has been a STAR long before making his very successful journey to Washington, D.C.,” Trump wrote early Friday morning on Truth Social.
“So much is learned from sports, and Jim was a master!” Trump added, before diving into a crash course on Jordan’s wrestling achievements from his high school years through college. The former president did include a throwaway line on Jordan’s position near the end of his endorsement. “He is STRONG on Crime, Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment,” Trump wrote.
Of course, Trump left out what is probably the defining story of Jordan’s wrestling career: accusations from former wrestlers that, as a wrestling coach at Ohio State University, Jordan turned a blind eye to allegations that team physician Richard Strauss was sexually abusing young men under his supervision.
Jordan denies ever having knowledge of abuse by Strauss. At least six students who wrestled under Jordan have stated the congressman knew of Strauss’ actions and failed to act upon them. In 2021, Jordan was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit against the university and staff members accused of covering up the abuse.
Jordan announced his bid for the speakership on Wednesday, his third attempt at securing the position during his tenure in Congress. On Monday, Jordan will reportedly participate in a televised Fox News debate with fellow candidates Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) to make his case for the role.
Source link: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-jim-jordan-wrestling-history-speaker-endorsement-1234847857/
