Scott Baio, Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson kick off RNC's first night

Scott Baio talks at 2016 RNC — (Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The Republican National Convention opened its first night's main event on Monday with Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson, who started off with a prayer and a quip about how he and Donald Trump have three things in common: successful businesses, hit TV shows, and "intelligent wives who are much better looking than we are." Robertson's theme was that "Donald Trump will have your back," and while "he may not always tell you what you want to hear," Trump "always tells you the truth as he sees it."

He was followed by former TV star Scott Baio. He talked about what being an American means and doesn't: "It doesn't mean getting free stuff. It means sacrificing" and doing hard work. "All the things that we hold dear are being attacked every day," Baio continued, and "we need Donald Trump to fix this." Baio asked, then answered: "Is Donald Trump a messiah? No. He's just a man."

America has a choice between Hillary Clinton, who, Baio said, "somehow feels entitled to the presidency," while Trump is "doing this from the goodness of his heart."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.