Mike Tyson Endorses Donald Trump for President of the United States
Mike Tyson was a busy man on Monday.ย
While pumping up his new Adult Swim show Mike Tyson Mysteries, theย former heavyweight champ made multiple media appearances throughout the day, each addressing a different topic.
Tyson started by taking on politics with HuffPost Live's Alex Mirandaย (h/t the site's Rahel Gebreyes). When asked about his history with Republican primary candidate Donald Trump, Tyson said he fully supports him for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
"He should be president of the United States," Tyson said. "That's what he should be... Why are people mad at the people? Because this is who the people want to be president..."
"So he's got your vote?" Miranda asked.ย
"Hell yeah," Tyson said. "Big time."
"Let's try something new," Tyson continued. "Let's run America like a business, where no colors matter. Whoever can do the job, gets the job."
Miranda pressed Tyson on Trump's recent statements, bringing up the GOP candidate's rich history of labeling Mexico and its people as an invading criminal horde.
Tyson admitted some of Trump's words have been "crude," but he thinks it's more an issue of phrasing than intent:
"Listen, I didn't look at them like that. I look at them, like when he said...look, some people are bad. People are bad in all parts of the ethnic world. Yes, he didn't know how to say it. You know, man. He said really crude things. They were really crude. He needs someone to work with him on how to deliver his messages. But as far as what he...did, he's an average guy like everybody else.
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Tyson coming out in support of Trump isn't really a surprise.ย
Trump, an Atlantic City casino owner, promoted a number of Tyson's fights in New Jersey during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The two were drawn even closer together after Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992. Trump came to the boxer's aid and pushed for a lighter punishment than the 10-year sentence Tyson received after he was found guilty of attacking and forcing himself upon an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant in his hotel room.
Trump argued Tyson's money could do more good for victims of sexual assault than him spending time in prison. Tyson doesn't seem to have forgotten the gesture.
