Disgraced ex-Congressman Mark Foley was spotted sitting behind Donald Trump at a Florida rally Wednesday as the Republican presidential nominee again criticized Hillary Clinton’s campaign for allowing the father of Orlando shooter Omar Mateen to attend her rally.
“Wasn’t it terrible when the father of the animal that killed the wonderful people in Orlando was sitting with a big smile on his face right behind Hillary Clinton?” Mr. Trump asked the Sunshine crowd, referring to Seddique Mateen’s attendance at Mrs. Clinton’s rally Monday night in Kissimmee, according to a CNN video.
“How many of you people know me? A lot of you people know me, right?” Mr. Trump asked those seated behind him.
Mr. Foley, visible just over Mr. Trump’s left shoulder, eagerly raised his hand in response.
“When you get those seats, you sort of know the campaign,” Mr. Trump added.
Mr. Foley resigned as a Florida Republican representative in 2006 after allegations surfaced that he sent sexually explicit messages to underage teenage boys who were serving as Congressional pages. No criminal charges were filed against Mr. Foley following a federal investigation.
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Mr. Foley, 61, told The Sun-Sentinel that he arrived at Mr. Trump’s rally hours early to ensure he’d get a good seat.
“I like the energy,” he said. “I’ve been a friend of Mr. Trump’s since 1987. I’ve admired so much of what he’s done. He’s a different breed of leader and a different breed of candidate.”
The Trump campaign has yet to address Mr. Foley’s attendance.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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