President Trump defended Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, on Thursday against allegations that the lawmaker was aware of claims wrestlers he coached decades ago at Ohio State University had been sexually abused by their team doctor and did nothing to prevent it.
“I don’t believe them at all. I believe him,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to a rally in Montana.
“Jim Jordan is one of the most outstanding people I’ve met since I’ve been in Washington. I believe him 100 percent. No question in my mind. I believe Jim Jordan 100 percent. He’s an outstanding man,” Trump continued.
Three former wrestlers told NBC this week that it was “common knowledge” that Dr. Richard Strauss showered with students and inappropriately touched them during appointments. They alleged Jordan was aware of the misconduct when he was an assistant wrestling coach at the college from 1986 to 1994.
Jordan denied knowing of the abuse, and said if he had known he would have reported it.
“We knew of no abuse, never heard of abuse. If we had, we would have reported it,” Jordan said Wednesday. “And if, in fact, there’s problems, we want justice for the people who were victims obviously.”
“As I said, we’re happy to talk with the folks who are doing the investigation. But nothing — I mean, things they said about me just were flat out not true,” he continued.
[Related: Fourth former wrestler says Jim Jordan knew of sexual abuse]
