Is Mike Tyson’s baffling Trump midterm prediction genuine or political theater?

[Oliverlogan263]

I'm curious to hear what everyone thinks about Mike Tyson's surprise appearance at the White House briefing room, where he openly pledged his support for President Donald Trump ahead of a campaign rally. When reporters explicitly asked him how he thought the Republicans would fare in the upcoming midterm elections, Tyson boldly responded, "I think Donald Trump’s gonna win."

A lot of people online are calling the prediction pretty funny and baffling considering Donald Trump himself isn't even on the midterm ballot. Personally, I look at this a little more cynically, and I totally agree with the reactions online pointing out how transactional this whole thing is. Trump is exactly the kind of guy who operates entirely on a "what’s in it for me" basis, and it really feels like he is just using Tyson's massive celebrity name to build his own clout. But on the other side of it, their personal history and friendship stretch all the way back to the 1980s when Trump used to sponsor and host Tyson's biggest boxing matches in Atlantic City.

It is pretty exploitative when you realize Trump is just capitalizing on someone who has literally been hit in the head thousands of times throughout a brutal boxing career and might not fully grasp the political game he is being dragged into. A true, high-integrity friend would protect Tyson and keep him out of the chaotic political crosshairs. Instead, Trump is just parading him around the White House and campaign rallies as a political prop for self-serving optics.

Do you view this as a genuine, meaningful celebrity endorsement, or is it just a classic case of a politician taking advantage of an old-school boxing icon?

It’s just long-time loyalty: Their friendship goes all the way back to the 1980s, so it makes total sense that Tyson would back him up.

The prediction was funny/baffling: Trump isn't even on the ballot for the midterms, so saying "Trump will win" instead of the Republicans is hilarious.

Focused on the policies: Tyson is using his platform to push Trump on cannabis reform and clemency, which is actually smart advocacy.

Over celebrity endorsements: I don't care what athletes or famous people think about politics anymore, it doesn't change my vote.

[Chazmatazz269]

Mike Tyson is smarter and more worldly than you give him credit for. I am fairly certain that he doesn’t spend a great deal of time considering politics though. He might not even vote. Tyson has fame and money. He can influence the world around him and the people in it more easily than the rest of us. Voting doesn’t hold the same importance for people with influence.
I didn’t watch the endorsement. So i’m guessing, but Iron Mike could very well have meant exactly what he said and it wasn’t necessarily a gaff. If republicans and more moderate independents hold or even gain ground in the midterm elections, Drumpf DOES “win”. As long as the looney left doesn’t gain, our country is safe… for now.
Then again, Mr. Tyson might have just responded to a call from his longtime friend and supporter and showed up to endorse him without doing a lick of research and he was completely unprepared to answer questions about politics.
Either way, Tyson knows exactly what it’s like to be manipulated and it’s highly unlikely that he would acquiesce to such treatment ever again. Rest assured that Mike is man enough to tell Drumpf to f*ck off if he thought he was being used.

[molonski2]

I agree with you , but I don't think it's doing Mike any real harm to get himself centre stage , yeah the poor guy has been hit too many times , jailed incorrectly , and basically pssed on by people when it suits them.

I hope it works out positive for Mike , not sure it will make any difference with regard to DT.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I think Mike Tyson’s prediction is more likely a show of political loyalty than a serious election forecast, although we cannot know his true intentions from one comment alone. 😂

[NathanDavis]

that's hilarious... hard to believe, but I am sure it happened

[loveslongnails]

In the first photo, see the US Rapist in Chief looking admiringly at another convicted rapist! Isn't that sooooo adorable? The bar seems to have a never-ending bottom end. Just kiss him already, DJ.

[exitseven]

Th boxing game is really sleazy and maybe Trump took care of Iron Mike at some point in his career.

[jshm2]

LOL, Tyson is hardly a political heavyweight...