At a Donald Trump rally in western Pennsylvania on Saturday night, attendees wearing bright orange and red hard hats gathered to hear him proclaim himself as the champion of the steel industry, a vital aspect of the area’s heritage. He also made some risqué comments about the late professional golfer Arnold Palmer, revered in the community.

“We saved the steel industry in this nation, and we’re going to strengthen it even further,” Trump stated as he and Vice President Kamala Harris competed for voters in this significant swing state.

Blue-collar workers form a crucial part of Trump’s populist narrative, and he frequently highlights his backing from union members, despite union leadership’s endorsement of Harris in some instances. In July, the United Steelworkers threw their support behind Harris, and President Joe Biden earned accolades from the union this year after he intervened to prevent a Japanese steelmaker from taking over U.S. Steel.

The former president brought about a dozen men with him on stage in Latrobe, a small city located about an hour from Pittsburgh. He mentioned they worked for U.S. Steel in the Mon Valley, which employs 20,000 people in this pivotal battleground state.

“In my opinion, President Trump rescued the American steel sector by imposing tariffs on Chinese steel that was being illegally sold at unfairly low prices, threatening to drive us out of business,” said Glenn Thomas, a third-generation steelworker, to the audience just before Trump took the stage.

The leader of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters spoke at this year’s Republican convention but chose not to endorse any candidate later. Trump asserted at the rally that he enjoys “overwhelming” support from the regular members of the Teamsters.

A tribute to Arnold Palmer

The event, held at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport named after the legendary golfer, was filled with masculine energy and occasionally risqué humor.

Trump dedicated his first 15 minutes on stage to praising Palmer’s masculinity – and physical attributes.

“Arnold Palmer was truly a man,” he remarked. “And I say this with the utmost respect for women. I have great admiration for women. But Arnold? This guy was just all man. He was strong and tough. And I can’t help but mention that when he showered with the other men, they would come out and say, ‘Wow. That’s just unbelievable.’”

“I had to mention it,” he told the crowd. “I had to say it. We have sophisticated women here, but Arnold was really something special.”

“I felt it was important to mention the shower part because it’s true,” he continued. “What can I say? Honesty is key.”

The Harris campaign quickly responded, mocking Trump’s comments regarding Palmer’s physique.

“In a rally speech whose purpose was presented as ‘the beginning of his closing argument in the final stretch,’ Donald Trump concentrated on what really matters to voters: the anatomy of a deceased golfer,” said Harris’ campaign in an email.

As Trump interacted with the steel workers on stage, they joked about enjoying their overtime pay.

“No taxes on overtime,” one joked, mirroring a point raised in Trump’s campaign.

“No child support on overtime,” another chimed in.

Trump didn’t respond to those comments.