'It's not over': Jon Voight, 82, thanks Trump for his four years in office and calls for unity following the Capitol siege - but says the fight to overturn the election is not done
Hollywood actor Jon Voight has released a video in which he calls for unity following last week's siege at the the U.S. Capitol and President Trump's final acknowledgment that his presidency will end later this month.
Voight, a longtime Trump supporter who spoke out against the election results in a video in November, said that 'this violence isn't who we are' but added that the rioters 'will be heard'.
Filmed while seated before an American flag, Voight opened by addressing his 'fellow Americans'.
'We shall not weep, but let us give thanks to President Trump for his four years of hard work and love for America. Let us not put our heads down, let us rise and look to a better future. Let us praise God. Let us understand that His plan is far greater.'
Jon Voight appeared to send a message of unity to Republicans in a video shared on Twitter
Voight's delivery can often appear as a mix between a rallying cry and a religious sermon.
He acknowledged last week's deadly riots that saw Trump supporters force themselves past Capitol security just as the Senate was in the process of voting to confirm the electoral college votes.
'I know all are disappointed, but this violence is not who we are. We are love, respect, honor. The ones who destroyed will be accountable but the ones who truly wanted to share love and respect will be heard,' said 82-year-old Voight.
Voight attempted to deliver a message of unity for the American people despite the enormous political and cultural divide facing the country. He suggested Trump's fight to overturn the election is still not done.
'Let us put aside our differences and let America grow. Let us stand again with pride and we as a nation will hold on to the love that President Trump shared with us all. It's not over. The truths of justice will prevail for God's glory shall as well. Love to you,' he said as he signed off.
Voight attended Trump's Salute to America 4th of July event at the Lincoln Memorial in 2019
His message of unity was far removed from another recent video that he put out just before Election Day in which he offered a scathing rebuke of Joe Biden, calling him 'evil.'
'Biden is evil. Trump must win. He's real. He will bring back the people's trust,' Voight began. 'These leftists are not for the American people. It's the biggest cover-up ever,' he said.
Soon after November's election he then issued a warning to those celebrating the win, saying they were only welcoming the 'horror they will be in for' because the promises 'being made from the left to the American people will never come to be.'
'My friends of all colors, races and religions, this is now our greatest fight since the civil war,' Voight said in the video.
'The battle of righteousness versus Satan - yes, Satan. Because these leftists are evil, corrupt and they want to tear down this nation.
'We must not allow this. We must fight this corruption that has taken over and fight for the good that seems lost,' he added.
Voight went on to urge Americans to give their 'trust to God', calling the ballot count 'corruption' before closing his statement with a quote from Muhammed Ali.
'Let us not back down, let us fight this fight as if it is our last fight on earth. As Muhammed Ali said, it's not over until the last punch you have.'
President Donald Trump (right) stands next to actor Jon Voight (left) after presenting him the National Medal of Arts in the East Room of the White House in Washington in November 2019
Voight, whose role in Midnight Cowboy and Deliverance catapulted him to Hollywood fame, is the father of actress Angelina Jolie.
He has previously appeared at campaign rallies and events to support Trump.
Earlier this year, he praised Trump on two occasions as the coronavirus pandemic spread across the nation.
In a March video, Voight talked about American overcoming the pandemic, which at that time had started taking a toll on the epicenter, New York City.
A little less than two months later, he praised Trump for being a 'hero' who 'will protect his country till the end, with dignity, honor, respect and love'.
Voight also narrated a video that kicked off the first night of the Republican National Convention in August.
No comments