President Donald Trump brought boxing star Jake Paul onstage during a rally on Wednesday and made a bold prediction about the social media star’s future.
The 29-year-old Ohio native, who has transitioned from a YouTube personality to a major force in the combat sports world, stood alongside the president as the crowd in Hebron, Ky roared in support.
During the event, Trump signaled that Paul’s influence could eventually shift from the boxing ring to the halls of government in the coming years.
‘I’m going to make a prediction that you will be, in the not too distant future, running for political office,’ Trump told the fighter and the assembled supporters.
The president didn’t stop at a mere prediction, immediately offering his political backing to the ‘Problem Child’ should he decide to pursue a seat in the future.
‘And you have my complete and total endorsement,’ the president added, cementing a public alliance with one of the most polarizing and popular figures in modern media.
President Donald Trump brought boxing star Jake Paul onstage during a rally on Wednesday
Trump suggested that Paul could shift from the boxing ring to the halls of government
Paul expressed his admiration for the president and credited him with teaching him the fundamental values of grit and resilience
Addressing the Kentucky crowd, Paul expressed his admiration for the president and credited him with teaching him the fundamental values of grit and resilience.
He told the crowd that the president had taught him the value of ‘courage’ and to ‘never back down from a fight,’ a mantra Paul has lived by throughout his boxing career.
‘We need more factories like this thriving all over the country,’ Paul said, emphasizing his support for the president’s economic vision for the American Heartland.
‘And I know [Trump’s] going to be the one to bring that here to us,’ he continued, signaling his belief in a resurgence of American manufacturing.
The fighter also leaned into a spiritual message, telling the audience: ‘I know God is with us. I know he wants us on the right side of history, and everyone here has to do their part.’
‘And God’s got us. Trump’s got us. God bless,’ Paul concluded, before reflecting on the local spirit of the attendees in the Bluegrass State.
‘I feel all the local Kentuckians feel the same way — you guys have that fight, you guys have that swag. There’s a lot of young kids in here. The future of America.’
Trump returned the praise, telling the crowd: ‘He’s a great guy. He’s a courageous guy and a talented guy. He’s a hell of a fighter, too, by the way.’
‘We need more factories like this thriving all over the country,’ Paul said, emphasizing his support for the president’s economic vision
Paul’s most recent endeavor in the boxing ring saw him take on British star Anthony Joshua
The endorsement of Paul’s fighting spirit comes as the 29-year-old continues to dominate headlines following his endeavors in the boxing ring over recent years.
Paul has transformed the boxing landscape by leveraging his massive digital following to create events that have outdrawn traditional championship bouts in viewership and revenue.
His most recent endeavor in the ring saw him take on British heavyweight star Anthony Joshua, which ended in a knockout victory for ‘AJ’.
Whether Paul follows Trump’s advice and swaps the gloves for a suit remains to be seen.
