Joanie loves Chachi and Chachi loves … Trump? TV actor Scott Baio is among several celebrities who are scheduled to speak at the 2016 Republican National Convention, which kicks off today, July 18, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Baio and other stars will join tens of thousands of delegates, politicians and GOP supporters for the four-day “Make America Great Again” event, where Donald Trump is expected to officially secure the nomination for President of the United States.
The Charles in Charge alum is listed as a “prime-time speaker” for Monday, along with Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson, soap opera actor Antonio Sabato Jr., Real World alum and current U.S. representative Sean Duffy, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Trump’s wife, Melania Trump.
Trump’s kids Donald Jr. and Tiffany, meanwhile, are on the lineup for Tuesday, July 19. Governor Chris Christie, golfer Natalie Gulbis, Young and the Restless actress Kimberlin Brown and former GOP presidential hopeful Ben Carson will join them.
Other notable “prime-time speakers” include radio host Laura Ingraham, retired astronaut Eileen Collins, Trump’s son Eric and daughter Ivanka, Newt Gingrich, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Trump’s running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence.
Baio, who has been vocal about both his support for Trump and his disdain for President Barack Obama and presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, told Fox News this month that the Celebrity Apprentice alum singled him out at a recent campaign event.
“I was at a fundraiser for Mr. Trump the other night with my wife and he invited me to speak at the convention, which was completely unexpected and out of left field,” the Happy Days actor said. “He had given a speech and he was walking out. I looked at him and said, ‘Mr. Trump, Scott Baio,’ and he goes, ‘Oh my God.’ And he said to me, ‘Did you want to speak?’ And I went, ‘Here?’ And he goes, ‘No, no, no, at the convention.'”
Sabato is a vocal Trump supporter, too. He tweets frequently about the real estate mogul and told Fox News he thinks Trump is a “true patriot.” As for his speech? “I’m gonna talk about how much I love this country and I love God and just basically that I’m here for Donald Trump, supporting him in every way, shape or form.”
Previous celeb speakers at the RNC include Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004 and Clint Eastwood in 2012. Eastwood memorably addressed an empty chair at the event four years ago.
