Trump jokes Markwayne Mullin’s wife ‘looks like she's about 22’ during DHS swearing-in ceremony

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump made headlines when he commented on Markwayne Mullin's wife's looks while swearing him in as the new Secretary of Homeland Security.

Trump took a moment during the ceremony, which officially marked Mullin's move to the Cabinet, to thank the politician's family members for being present at the Oval Office to witness the occasion.

He singled out Mullin's wife, Christie, and said, "Looks like she's about 22 years old," which made everyone laugh.

Trump highlights family's role in Mullin's political life

President Donald Trump joked that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s wife, Christie, looked less than half her age during Mullin’s swearing-in ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, March 24.

“I want to thank the family, because without the family, he's not here,” Trump said after Mullin was sworn in, gesturing to Mullin’s wife and children.

“And that goes especially for mom, who looks like she's about 22 years old. I see these kids, but she looks very young,” the President added.

The remark drew laughter from the room, including from Christie, 47. During the event, Trump also praised the couple and congratulated the duo.

“It’s a great couple,“ Trump said Tuesday, speaking from a podium near the South End of the Oval Office. “Congratulations to you both.”

The ceremony, held at the White House, formally inducted Mullin into his new role following his confirmation. 

Mullin and his wife met in high school and celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary in June. The duo shares six children together.

As teenagers, Christie and her husband took over his father's plumbing business. Since then, they have started at least three more businesses in Oklahoma.

The America First Policy Institute, a conservative policy think tank that Mullin co-chairs, calls Christie a "lifelong Oklahoman" and "passionate business owner."

Asked for her advice to women and girls during a recent interview with Benny Johnson, a conservative political commentator and YouTuber, Christie said, “Put the lord first.”

“If you want to be that wife and mom, it starts with being a godly woman,” she said.

Trump shares fun moment with Mullin's son 

Trump also engaged with the couple’s children during the event, briefly interacting with them as part of the proceedings.

At one point, he invited their son to speak, adding a personal note to the ceremony.

“Did he do a good job? Are you impressed with your father?” Trump asked him. “How about me? Don’t answer, you like your father better.”

As he stepped away, Trump grabbed Jim’s arm and squeezed his bicep. “Don’t wrestle him,” Trump jokingly said, adding that Jim, who wrestled at Oklahoma State University, is “made of steel.”

Following the oath, Mullin posed for photographs with Trump and his family, marking the conclusion of the ceremony. Such events are often documented as part of the official record and shared publicly.