Trump says he wishes he 'looked just like' Jaxson Dart as he defends Giants QB against backlash

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump praised New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart following the player's recent onstage rally appearance, admiring the athlete's model-like looks by stating, "I wish I looked just like Jackson."

During an interview on 'My View with Lara Trump', the 79-year-old strongly defended Dart from backlash and confidently predicted that he will become an NFL star.

Trump praises Jaxson Dart as 'a handsome guy, a beautiful guy, a conservative guy'

Lara Trump opened the discussion by asking about the "animosity" Dart faced for joining him on stage, questioning why people are so "outraged about somebody joining you on stage."

Trump immediately focused on the young quarterback's impressive appearance and talent.

"Well, first of all, I wish I looked just like Jackson," Trump said. "I said, 'Is he a male model or what?' He's a handsome guy. Like a beautiful guy? And, you know, conservative guy. He said, 'I love you, sir.'"

Trump admitted the introduction was a surprise but doubled down on the player's athletic future.

"And, uh, I didn't know he was doing it, you know, but he's a he's potentially a great quarterback," the president expressed. "He's a young boy, he just really started. But when he's in a game, he moves the team. And I didn't know him, but I watched him a little bit, and he really moves the team. He's got tremendous potential. He stays healthy, he's gonna be great."

Trump defends Jaxson Dart against critics

The conversation then shifted to the backlash Dart faced after the political appearance. 

Trump dismissed the criticism, arguing that the public appearance actually earned him more love from the public.

"So, when Jackson gets, uh, harassed a little bit, he's also loved more because we have more people than they do," Trump said. "And a lot of the people that you think, like, people in Los Angeles, wealthy people that you, I see them all the time, they're hitting me a little bit, and they meet me, they said, 'Sir, I voted for you.'"

The POTUS concluded by claiming he has plenty of secret support. "I said, I know. I know, I can tell. Guys voted for me," Trump said. "I can tell you people on television that knocked me all the time, voted for me."

Giants teammates address political dispute and clear air

The rally appearance caused immediate friction inside the Giants organization, leading to a public social media post from teammate Abdul Carter, who questioned Dart's decision to align with Trump.

However, both players met with reporters at practice to address the festering controversy and hugged out their differences, making it clear that their professional relationship remains intact.

"Jaxson is one of our leaders," Carter told reporters, adding that they have no personal beef. "Stand on what you believe in. But it can't be a problem when I stand on what I believe in."

Dart echoed the sentiment, stating that politics is a "sensitive matter" but emphasizing, "He's my brother, I know that I'm a brother to him and, at the end of the day, we want to be the best people and players for each other."