Is Jake Paul running for political office?
At a Wednesday rally in Kentucky, President Donald Trump heaped praise on YouTuber Jake Paul and insinuated the influencer would soon run for political office.
Trump was in the Bluegrass state to campaign for Congressional candidate Ed Gallrein, who is running against Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican and avowed enemy of Trump’s. After Gallrein spoke to the crowd, Trump heaped praise on Paul, calling him a powerful fighter, a "great guy," and "a very tough cookie."
Paul came out briefly, saying he and Trump "never back down from a fight." The influencer also stated that he hopes to see more factories thriving in the area and throughout the country, possibly hinting at future issues he’ll campaign on.
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After Paul left the stage, Trump said, "I predict, I’m gonna make a prediction, that [Paul] will be, in the not-too-distant future, running for political office. And you have my complete and total endorsement."
Trump’s embrace of Paul is quite a reversal for the creator, whose California home was raided by the FBI in 2020. The raid was connected to a looting at an Arizona mall; Paul was never charged with any crimes.
Paul was accused of sexual assault by TikTok star Justine Paradise in 2021, but denied the claims.
In the years since, Paul has become as well known for his MMA and boxing careers as his highly lucrative work as a YouTuber and influencer.
Neal joined Mashable’s Social Good team in 2024, editing and writing stories about digital culture and its effects on the environment and marginalized communities. He is the former editorial director of The Advocate and Out magazines, has contributed to the Los Angeles Times, Curbed, and Los Angeles magazine, and is a recipient of the Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for LGBTQ Journalist of the Year Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association (NLGJA). He lives in Los Angeles with his family.
