Conservatives cheered the opening montage which kicked off the first night of the Republican National Convention on Monday.
The video: Narrated by actor Jon Voight, the video featured sweeping vistas of American landscapes and monuments intercut with shots of President Donald Trump campaigning and at work.
- Shining city on a hill: "A country where we are judged by our character with dignity and respect for all," Voight said in a voiceover.
- Proud to be an American: “We stand in the breach to preserve a way of life that, while imperfect, has brought prosperity, honor, and dignity to generations past, and will for generations to come," he added.
- Trump: "A man who cares, a man who loves America and all Americans; a man who works tirelessly for you, even tonight during this nomination.”
The reaction: The film was widely praised by conservatives on social media.
Radio host Hugh Hewitt called the video "terrific," and said Trump supporter Voight's voiceover showed "superb skill."
Terrific opening RNC video, narrated by @jonvoight with superb skill. Bravo Jon.
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) August 25, 2020
Fox News contributor Rachel Campos-Duffy praised the segment as "optimistic," and suggested it underlines a "stark choice" facing Americans in the November election.
Thank you @CardinalDolan for a beautiful opening prayer to the RNC Convention. Really set the tone with an unabashedly religious & pro-life message. Also loved the optimistic opening video. We have a stark choice in November of the America we want to live in. 🇺🇸
— Rachel Campos-Duffy (@RCamposDuffy) August 25, 2020
Beth Baumann, Townhall.com associate editor, appreciated the montage highlighting quintessential American characteristics.
I LOVE that we just heard about "rugged individualism" in the RNC opening. #RNCConvention2020
— Beth Baumann (@eb454) August 25, 2020
But on the left, the video was met with suspicion and derision.
Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Solomon Jones suggested the race-blind promise discussed in the voiceover was racist.
From the opening video of the RNC: “Lives matter regardless of race , creed, or color …” They’re saying it’s wrong to say #BlackLivesMatter. I can’t wait to vote. #realtalk.
— Solomon Jones (@solomonjones1) August 25, 2020
Liberal media guru Timothy Burke ridiculed the clip's B-roll footage.
loool that whole much-ballyhooed Trump "film" that opened the RNC tonight was made up of stock footage from Getty. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT REAL pic.twitter.com/5n6QO7ZtjN
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) August 25, 2020
The Republican National Convention also featured speeches from Donald Trump Jr., executive vice president of the Trump Organization, Trump campaign senior adviser Kimberly Guilfoyle, Democratic Rep. Vernon Jones of Georgia, and the "St. Louis Gun Couple," Mark and Patricia McCloskey.
- Tuesday's program is headlined by First Lady Melania Trump; other speakers include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, former Covington Catholic student Nick Sandmann, and pro-life activist Abby Johnson.
