<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/donald-trump" rel="" target="" title="Donald Trump"><span>Donald Trump</span></a><span> has briefly turned his attention from the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attack-iran-live-updates-march-12-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headline/79946bbf-76ad-4c59-bebb-6a2a092ad4e9" rel="" target="_blank" title="conflict in Iran"><span>conflict in Iran</span></a><span> to endorse YouTuber-turned-boxer </span><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/jake-paul-6fry" rel="" target="_blank" title="Jake Paul"><span>Jake Paul</span></a><span> for political office.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The US president invited his "friend" Paul on stage during a rally in Kentucky and made a bold prediction about the 29-year-old's future in Congress.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Paul has already made several drastic career U-turns after transitioning from a Disney Channel actor to social media influencer, before turning to professional boxing.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attack-iran-live-updates-march-12-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headline/79946bbf-76ad-4c59-bebb-6a2a092ad4e9" target="_blank"><strong><span>Ships in Strait of Hormuz in crosshairs of Iran conflict</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/gus-lamont-search-resumed-oak-park-station/4ec902c5-ca16-48e3-ae7d-889bcf156de0" target="_blank"><strong><span>Police to continue Gus Lamont search as rain could expose fresh ground</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I just want to say I predict, I'm going to make a prediction, that you will be in the not too distant future, running for political office, OK," Trump told Paul, adding that he is an "incredible guy".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And you have my complete and total endorsement, OK?''</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/jake-paul-trump-endorsement-at-kentucky-rally/79fb1877-814d-47c1-ad45-8b69a8625d49" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump's declaration prompted applause and cheers from the audience.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While introducing Paul – brother of fellow internet star Logan Paul – to the stage, Trump praised his prowess in the boxing ring.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Paul won six consecutive fights early in his boxing career, before his streak ended in a loss to Tommy Fury in 2023.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ai-overreach-perth-dad-fined-over-seatbelt-slip-as-daughter-does-ponytail-in-car/32e13e01-26bc-44af-8900-a7ef03e9d1f6" target="_blank"><strong><span>Perth dad fined over 'split-second' seatbelt slip as AI traffic cameras quesioned</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He went on to beat boxing legend Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in an eight-round heavyweight exhibition match in 2024.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump described Paul as a "hell of a fighter" and a "tough cookie" before making mention of his fiancee, Dutch Olympic speed skater Jutta Leerdmam, who won gold at Milano Cortina 2026.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He's got a brand new beautiful fiancee. And you're not allowed to use the word beautiful when describing women anymore," Trump said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's the end of your political career, but I'll say it anyway.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What the hell? She's beautiful. She just won the Olympic gold medal."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ohio-born Paul then took to the podium and recipricated Trump's glowing salute.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He told the crowd that Trump taught him courage and to "never back down from a fight".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I grew up just a few hours away from here. My dad taught me to fight," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And all of our voices matter in America. And I'm never afraid to speak the truth."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"God's got us. Trump's got us. God bless. Love you, Kentucky."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The path from pro-athlete to politician is not uncommon in the US.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former pro-wrestling star Jesse Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota in 1999.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Actor, Olympic weightlifer and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor of California in 2003.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And former New York Knicks star Bill Bradley forged a successful career as a US senator after leaving the NBA.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>