Actor Jon Voight, a staunch supporter of President Trump, narrated a video on Monday night to kick off the first night of the Republican National Convention, previewing the arguments the GOP will make throughout the week.
The video, which was similar to those shared by the official White House account promoting Trump’s accomplishments, hit on a number of themes the president is likely to echo throughout the convention, including support for law enforcement, a defense of the administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and attacks on Democrats.
Voight described Trump, whose approval ratings have hovered in the low 40s for much of his first term, as “a man who cares, a man who loves America and all Americans.”
“We all know that it is easy to criticize. It takes a true leader to solve problems,” Voight said as a video played showing Trump. “COVID-19. While others criticized without solutions, President Trump’s swift action saved lives, and as leading Democrats want to keep businesses closed down, our president is leading a way for a full economic recovery.”
The video also swiped at prominent Democrats who have served as reliable foils for the president throughout his first term.
“Politicians spun their deceptions and obstructed progress,” Voight said over footage of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who led the impeachment of Trump late last year.
Voight’s prominent role at the outset was notable given that Republican leaders dismissed the inclusion of celebrities during last week’s Democratic National Convention.
The theme of Monday’s program is “Land of Promise.” SpeakerS include Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Donald Trump Jr., Nikki Haley, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).
Updated at 8:53 p.m.