1 of 3 | Actor Antonio Sabato, Jr. speaks during the evening session on day one of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on July 18, 2016. Donald Trump will formally accept the Republican Party's nomination for President on Thursday night July 21st. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
License Photo
CLEVELAND, July 19 (UPI) -- Antonio Sabato Jr., fully clothed, took to the stage at the Republican National Convention Monday night to pump up the crowd for presidential candidate Donald Trump. Afterward, he told ABC News he is "absolutely" sure President Barack Obama is a Muslim.
Best known for his black and white underwear campaign for Calvin Klein in the 1990s, Sabato said he has "seen this country take a bad turn" under Obama's leadership. "We had a Muslim president for 7 1/2 years," he said. "I don't believe he is [a Christian]."
Obama has always insisted he is Christian.
Sabato went on.
"I believe that he's on the other side ... the Middle East," Sabato said in the interview with ABC News. "He's with the bad guys."
Sabato said Obama made it really hard to support him and that the president went in to the White House with an agenda to move the country left. He said military and police don't like the president and that really, he doesn't believe he is American.
Donald Trump led the birther movement when Obama ran for president, claiming he was not an American citizen, but was born in Africa.
During his speech, Sabato said America is now "weaker by almost every measure," TV Line reported. Admitting he's not the typical convention speaker, the General Hospital and Melrose Place star said "my belief in this country and my faith in Jesus Christ have compelled me to speak now."
He said he supports Trump because he is the candidate who will seal the borders and protect U.S. citizens from harm.
"Our rights have been trampled and our security threatened," he said.
Sabato moved to the United States from Rome in 1985, and became a naturalized citizen in 1996. He said everyone should have to follow the same rules he did to legally enter the country.
He also stuck it to Hillary Clinton, the Democrat Trump will face in the election, saying both she and Obama promote division. "Don't be fooled. Donald Trump is for unity. Donald Trump believes in one America with liberty and justice for all."
"Amazing first night #RNCConvention #RNCcle @realDonaldTrump, he posted on his Facebook page.
