US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did his best Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Kentucky on Monday, imitating the US president’s distinctive speaking style to applause and laughter.

During his speech at the rally a day before Congressional Republican primaries in northern Kentucky, Hegseth recounted the time Trump first offered him the position of defense secretary.

“President Trump told me, when he first offered me this job: ‘Pete, you’re gonna have to be tough as shit.”

Briefly pausing to apologize for swearing, he went on to laughs and cheers: “‘They’re gonna come after ya.'”

Returning to his own voice, he said: “And boy was he right.”

Hegseth was speaking in support of Ed Gallrein, who was handpicked by Trump to take on Thomas Massie in the House primary.

The matchup between Massie, who has been in office since 2012, and a first-time candidate running on his loyalty to Trump,........

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