Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger described the “pungent odor” of former President Donald Trump during his chat on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this week.The late-night host highlighted a tweet from the ex-Congressman dated Dec. 16, 2023, which stated, “I’m genuinely surprised how people close to Trump haven’t talked about the odor. It’s truly something to behold. Wear a mask if you can.
Kimmel then posed the burning question: “What did it smell like specifically? ” To which Kinzinger described Trump’s scent as an odd mix of armpits, ketchup, makeup, and butt, reports the Mirror US.
So, if you take, like, armpits, ketchup, makeup and a little butt, it’s probably like that, all mixed up,” Kinzinger remarked. “That’s the Trump formula? ” Kimmel queried. “A little bit of a pungent odor, I would say,” Kinzinger responded. “You definitely wouldn’t want to bottle it up and wear Trump cologne.”
The live audience was in stitches throughout the conversation, clearly amused by the banter. Kinzinger went on to discuss the taboo surrounding Trump’s smell – for those in the Republican’s inner circle, especially with him being their presidential nominee for the upcoming 2024 election in November, there’s a palpable fear of mentioning the stench around him.
However, Kinzinger revealed that anyone who gets close to the former president – even within several dozen feet – is hit by a potent mix of hair products, makeup, and body odor.
Kinzinger shared his experiences of visiting the Oval Office during Trump’s tenure and the strong smell he came to associate with each visit. “He’d invite us all into the Oval Office all the time, and it’s hard to avoid that,” Kinzinger told Kimmel.
Kinzinger is recognized in Republican circles as one of the conservatives who denounced Trump and his MAGA policies. In fact, this year he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, over Trump and spoke at the Democratic National Convention last month as a Republican.
His political stance cost him his seat in Congress and potentially his political career, but for Kinzinger, it was a decision he felt compelled to make. His appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! served as a platform to promote Harris and criticize Trump.Kinzinger isn’t the only notable figure to have met the businessman and commented on his scent. Comedian Kathy Griffin joked last year that Trump has a “distinct smell” and doesn’t pass the sniff test.During a conversation with Mary Trump, the former President’s niece who has also been critical of him, Griffin made the comment, “It’s like body odor with kind of like a scented makeup product. But you can smell the hair products even outdoors.