Sylvester Stallone likens President Trump to first President George Washington in Mar-a-Lago speech
It often seems like all of Hollywood's major stars are left-leaning Democrats, but that isn't entirely the case, as there are a few who are unafraid to publicly reveal their conservative leanings and support for Republicans.
One of the latter is iconic "Rocky" actor Sylvester Stallone, who recently heralded the victory of President-elect Donald Trump in a short speech at an event at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in South Florida, according to Breitbart.
The Hollywood star insinuated that Trump was a nearly "mythical character" with the potential to substantially transform the world for the better and was on par with the nation's first leader, Revolutionary War general and inaugural President George Washington.
"We got the second George Washington"
On Thursday, at the America First Policy Institute Gala at Mar-a-Lago, Stallone delivered brief introductory remarks ahead of a speech by President-elect Trump.
"We are in the presence of a really mythical character. I love mythology," Stallone said. "This individual does not exist on this planet. Nobody in the world could have pulled off what he pulled off, so I'm in awe."
"I'll just say this, and I mean it," he continued. "When George Washington defended his country, he had no idea that he was going to change the world, ’cause without him, you could imagine what the world would look like."
"Guess what -- we got the second George Washington. Congratulations!" Stallone added as he proceeded to welcome the victorious Trump to the stage.
JUST IN: Sylvester Stallone introduces Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, says Trump is like the “second George Washington.”
“We are in the presence of a really mythical character. I love mythology.”
“This individual does not exist on this planet. Nobody in the world could have pulled… pic.twitter.com/3SZn7bOjsM
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 15, 2024
Has been spotted at Mar-a-Lago before but says he isn't a club member
Stallone's support for President-elect shouldn't come as a complete surprise, as the actor has given indications previously that he is right-leaning, including by recently fleeing the high taxes and overregulation of California for the freedom and prosperity of Florida, as well as signaling his pro-life beliefs as a survivor of an attempted abortion, per Breitbart.
Newsweek reported that there were unconfirmed claims that Stallone was also spotted at Mar-a-Lago following last week's election, though the photo shared on social media is undated and it is known that the actor has attended events there in the past. However, both he and his publicist have insisted that he is not a member of the prestigious private club and was simply "an invited dinner guest."
It is also notable that he has never formally endorsed the Republican president in any of his three campaigns, though he did speak out in 2016 about how he was a personal friend and fan of the businessman-turned-politician and indicated at the time that he viewed Trump as a larger-than-life figure.
"I love Donald Trump. He's a great Dickensian character. You know what I mean?" Stallone told Variety during Trump's first campaign. "There are certain people like Arnold [Schwarzenegger], Babe Ruth, that are bigger than life. But I don't know how that translates to running the world."
Had been considered for a role in Trump's first term
Newsweek further noted that Stallone is typically an apolitical person -- he previously revealed that he didn't vote for any candidate in 2016 or 2020 -- and while he doesn't necessarily identify as a Republican, he has supported Republicans in the past.
Stallone was reportedly under consideration for an appointment by Trump in his first term to chair the National Endowment for the Arts, but though he was "flattered" he ultimately turned it down. Later, however, in 2018, Stallone was on hand in Trump's White House with other boxing stars for the posthumous pardoning of legendary boxer Jack Johnson.