Trump calls Booker a “communist lunatic” at Kentucky rally; Booker says he’s “flattered”

At a Northern Kentucky rally, the president boosted Barr and Gallrein, attacked Booker and Massie, and promised $5,000 checks if Republicans win Congress.

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President Donald Trump spent Saturday afternoon in Northern Kentucky asking voters to treat the Nov. 3 midterms as if he were on the ballot. His campaign stop was one of several he’s held in recent days, and he focused much of his pitch on Kentucky’s races.

“I’m not on the ballot, but I am on the ballot,” he told the crowd, calling this “the most important midterm in the history of our country.” The speech ran roughly an hour and a half.

The Senate race: Barr vs. Booker

Trump’s main purpose in Kentucky was boosting Rep. Andy Barr, the Republican US Senate nominee. He told the crowd he endorsed Barr early in his first run for Congress and predicted he’d be “one of the great U.S. senators.” Barr joined him on stage and thanked Trump for the investments he said are coming to the state.

Trump spent more time on Barr’s opponent, Democrat Charles Booker, whom he called a “communist lunatic.” He ran through past Booker positions and statements, including on defunding police, reparations and abolishing ICE.

Booker’s campaign responded Saturday evening with a statement that turned Trump’s language around. “I’m flattered by his baseless attacks on me,” Booker said, adding that the attacks show “how close this race is, and they’re scared.” He said what’s “really crazy is ignoring the struggles of people across Kentucky and the country,” and accused Barr of spending the day “currying favor with Trump, spreading lies, and sowing division” while Kentuckians struggle to afford gas and groceries.

Booker said he spent the day traveling the state instead, and he closed with a promise to “send Andy Barr into retirement” on Election Day.

The 4th District: Gallrein vs. Massie

Trump also made the case against Rep. Thomas Massie, calling the Northern Kentucky congressman “the worst” and “a loser” for voting against Trump’s tax and spending bill. He urged voters to back Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and Kentucky farmer who challenged Massie in the May primary and won. Trump said Gallrein walked into the Oval Office a year ago and “I said, ‘There’s our guy.’”

Gallrein took the stage and thanked Trump, framing his candidacy around national defense and law and order. He asked supporters to get him “in the end zone” on Nov. 3.

The $5,000 promise

Trump’s biggest promise wasn’t specific to Kentucky, but it was aimed at Kentucky voters. If Republicans win both chambers, he said, he’ll send $5,000 to “all adult citizens,” which he called a “Trump dividend.” He put the cost at about $1 trillion, to be paid for with tariff revenue, and said the money has to be spent in the U.S.

He didn’t say how it would clear Congress.

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