Donald Trump is facing criticism from some social-media users after kissing White House communications adviser Margo Martin at a 1 October rally in Durant, Oklahoma.
The moment followed remarks in which Trump praised Martin's appearance and invoked what he called the 'racehorse theory.' The exchange drew attention online because of Trump's comments about Martin's appearance, her parents and genetics.
Trump was campaigning at the Choctaw Event Center for Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei. The appearance formed part of his campaign activity ahead of the 3 November midterm elections. Supporters gathered in the rain for the event, which also featured other Oklahoma Republican candidates.
Martin, 31, is a special assistant to the president and communications adviser. She grew up in Ada, Oklahoma, and has become a prominent member of Trump's communications operation. She is frequently seen around the president and has played a visible role in producing and sharing footage of his public appearances.
Trump began by praising Martin's work and loyalty. He called her a social-media 'sensation' before saying he could not discuss one aspect of her appearance because doing so could end his political career.
He then said he would make the comment anyway and described Martin as a 'beautiful woman, inside and out.'
It was reported on Trump's remarks and the interaction with Martin, including his comments about her appearance and his reference to the 'racehorse theory.' Video from the rally shows Trump inviting Martin onto the stage and praising her before she briefly addressed her parents.
Martin then briefly greeted her parents, saying, 'Hi, Mom and Dad.' Trump directed his attention to her parents and connected Martin's appearance with her family background.
Trump Invokes His 'Racehorse Theory' Again
'I see why she's good-looking, actually,' Trump told the crowd. 'You know, I believe in the racehorse theory. Fast horses, right? Great mom and dad. Thank you very much. Great job, Margo.'
The remarks were captured during Trump's rally appearance, where he spent roughly two minutes praising Martin. Photographs from the event also documented Trump kissing Martin on the cheek.
The image subsequently circulated on social media, prompting some users to criticise the interaction. One commenter described Trump as 'nasty,' while other posts characterised the moment as 'creepy.' These were individual reactions online rather than an indication of a uniform response.
Other online comments focused on Trump's reference to Martin's parents and his use of the 'racehorse theory.' One post argued that Martin had been embarrassed by the remark. The reaction varied, with some users concentrating on the kiss and others focusing on Trump's comments about inherited traits.
The interaction also prompted comparisons with a 2019 incident involving college student activist Laura Schoeck at a Turning Point USA event.
An archived video and official transcript show Trump calling Schoeck back after she had been introduced and inviting her to speak. Video from the event also shows an interaction between the two as she was leaving the stage.
Trump also mentioned wanting to kiss two male supporters during the Oklahoma event. He immediately said he was not attracted to them, despite describing them as good-looking. That remark formed part of the same broader discussion about his interactions with people at the rally.
Why Trump's Genetics Comments Attract Scrutiny
Trump has used the 'racehorse theory' before. At a September 2020 rally in Bemidji, Minnesota, he told supporters, 'You have good genes' before referring to the 'racehorse theory.' The comments prompted criticism from Jewish leaders and others, who connected the terminology with the history of eugenics and selective breeding.
The historical context matters because eugenics promoted the idea that human traits could be improved through selective reproduction. Eugenic ideas were used to support discriminatory policies and forced sterilisation in the United States, while Nazi Germany incorporated related racial theories into its ideology.
Trump has continued to use genetics-related language in other settings. In August, he praised 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams after Williams rescued a child from dangerous surf in California. During a White House meeting, Trump told Williams' family, 'It's good genetics. When you look at them, you can see, really good.'
In September, Trump also commented on Texas quarterback Arch Manning's family background. Speaking about Manning while attending Texas' game against Tennessee, Trump praised the quarterback's genetics and said, 'If you're gonna go for genetics, you can't do much better.'
Trump has also used genetic language in immigration discussions. During a 2024 interview, he said, 'a murderer, I believe this, it's in their genes', before adding that there were 'a lot of bad genes in our country right now.' His campaign later said he was referring specifically to people who had committed murder rather than migrants generally.
The Oklahoma exchange therefore revived a phrase that has attracted controversy for years. Trump's comments about Martin were framed as praise, but his reference to genetics brought renewed attention to the historical controversy surrounding his use of the phrase.
The social-media response focused on both the physical interaction and Trump's language about Martin's family. However, there is no reliable basis for determining Martin's private feelings about the exchange unless she addresses it publicly.
