Donald Trump Monday night sized up the six Democrats running for governor.

He said they were "literally lunatics."
There was nothing unique about the president's rhetoric. But the setting was a bit unusual.

The event was billed as a Tele-Rally for Jack Ciattarelli with Trump the star attraction.

And he did not disappoint, saying Ciattarelli will Make New Jersey Great Again.

As he is wont to do, Trump described New Jersey as a dystopian place with rising crime, a lousy economy and a school system that "indoctrinates" children.

Things will get even worse if Ciattarelli loses the governor's race, he said.

Trump's contribution to the governor's race was geared to the start of early voting on Tuesday. The president, who has a home at his Bedminster golf course, sounded as if he was reading from Ciattarelli's bio, noting that he once served as a councilman in Raritan Borough. (You have to figure Trump is the only president who has ever mentioned the Raritan Borough Council.)

The president said Ciattarelli has pledged to impose a 1 percent property tax cap. If so, that is a new proposal. Chris Christie's cap was 2 percent.

Ciattarelli, graciously, thanked the president and said he would not let him down, promising to send a "loud and clear message" across the state and country.

As has been his habit, Ciattarelli is taking the primary just about for granted.

He said he's ready to start his general election campaign on June 11 - the day after the primary.

One man who may have listened with a high degree of frustration was Bill Spadea, who likes to say he is the most MAGA candidate in the race.

The president, though, left no doubt where he stands.

"Other people are going around saying I endorsed them, that's not true," Trump said.