In an effort to keep his seat, moderate Democratic US Senator Jon Tester (Montana) has been turning away from his own party and President Joe Biden.
Axios reported last month that in order to draw voters across his mostly red state, "Some of the earliest advertising from the Tester camp have elevated his splits with Biden, including an ad that said the Democrat 'fought to stop President Biden from letting migrants stay in America instead of remain in Mexico.'"
According to a Monday Washington Post report, the former president still isn't too fond of the Democrat.
READ MORE: Dem senator 'bucking his own party' party' to keep his seat: report
During a Saturday fundraising event in Mar-a-Lago for US congressman and Tester foe Ronnie Jackson, the Post reports that a recording obtained by the newspaper shows Trump "mocked" the Democratic lawmaker's weight.
"He’s now in a tough campaign, and he could very well lose," Trump said, referring to Tester. "We ought to go up and campaign against him. In fact, I looked at him and I said, 'Oh, this finally works for a man or woman, because he looks pregnant to me.'"
Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita doubled down on his boss's comments, saying in a statement, "Well, according to the left, men can. So where is the controversy?"
The Post reports, "As the crowd laughed, Trump continued, miming with his hands as he went. 'Have you seen this guy? He doesn’t look like a fat guy, except his stomach is out to here,' the former president said. 'Not that I talk about things like that. I don’t even notice them.'"
Jackson praised the ex-president's remarks, saying, "I thank President Trump for reminding the audience how critical this election is and to vote out two-faced, Far Left candidates like Jon Tester."
READ MORE: GOP’s path to reclaiming Senate majority goes through these two popular red state Democrats
Jackson withdrew his nomination to be secretary of veterans affairs in 2018 after Tester, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, alleged misconduct by Jackson in office. An investigation by the Defense Department Inspector General later substantiated multiple allegations against Jackson, including bullying behavior toward subordinates and misuse of alcohol on presidential trips.
Axios reported despite the fact Tester fundraised more than his MAGA opponent, Tim Sheehy, in the year's first quarter, "Republicans are pouring money into the race and are painting Tester as a lawmaker who says one thing to Montanans and then acts differently in Washington."
The Washington Post's full report is here (subscription required).
