Rep. Duncan Hunter, one of Donald Trump’s first allies in Congress, described the president in profane terms to a group of Republicans on Friday, but also touted the president as their champion.

“He’s just like he is on TV,” Hunter, R-Alpine, told the group. “He’s an asshole, but he’s our asshole.”

Hunter’s salty assessment was recounted by four people who were present when the congressman spoke at a Riverside County Young Republicans meeting in a Murrieta sports bar. Three spoke on the record with attribution, while one source spoke on the condition of anonymity. Others who were there made posts about Hunter’s comments on social media as well.

Hunter’s chief of staff did not respond to emails for comment. His voice mailbox was filled and could not accept more messages. The House is on recess until Sept. 5.


Hunter was speaking at the event alongside Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, when he made the comment. According to the sources, a woman asked the two congressmen if they had met Trump and what the president is like.

Calvert said Hunter knew the president better. According to two of the sources Hunter covered his mouth when he made his statement, as if he were telling a secret.

“He put his hand near his mouth like when you are going to whisper something,” Jose Guzman, one of the attendees said.

The crowd ate up Hunter’s assessment, said Whitney Walsh, who also was there.


“Very much. They were fine with that answer,” she said.

Hunter said descriptions of Trump’s personality have been accurate, Guzman said.

“And he goes, ‘By the way, all the stories you hear about him, they’re true. Except the fake news,’” Guzman said

The sources identified the woman who posed the question to the two congressmen. She declined to comment.


Tami Sims, who was also in attendance, said Hunter’s assessment of the president was shocking because it portrayed a man in a venerated office as devoid of character.

“I may not be a Trump supporter, but the president of our United States is supposed to be incredibly respected,” she said. “But for someone on his side to say that, it really did surprise me. I thought it was incredibly derogatory.”

Hunter was one of the first members of Congress to back Trump during his campaign for president, and said he made the endorsement without having met or spoken to the candidate first. Trump later named Hunter his envoy to Congress.


Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com


(619) 293-1841