This week, the convention’s cast of entertainers looked very similar to Trump’s previous rallies.
Trump greeted Lee Greenwood like an old friend after the country singer performed his hit, “God Bless the U.S.A.”, as Trump walked on the stage.
“He’s been with me right from the beginning,” Trump told the crowd at the start of his Wednesday night speech.
“A lot of singers have wanted to introduce me — once you win everybody wants to introduce you,” Trump said. “But I said ‘No way, nobody — only Lee, Lee’s the only one who’s going to introduce me.”
Greenwood joined singer Christopher Macchio and comedian Adam Carolla as the main entertainers headlining the midterm convention. A vocal Trump supporter since 2016, Greenwood has performed at numerous campaign rallies and official presidential events. He most recently sang at the Trump’s Salute to 250 event in Washington, D.C., in July.
He was one of the few artists who stuck by Trump’s side during the 250th celebrations in D.C., where many musicians dropped out of the Freedom 250 Concert series on the National Mall.
The musicians — including country singer Martina McBride, The Commodores, and Young MC — said the event was originally presented as a nonpartisan celebration of America’s 250th birthday. But, they decided to step back because of the political connections to Trump’s administration.
Even as other artists have jumped ship, the entertainers who took the stage in Dallas have consistently stood by Trump throughout his career.
Christopher Macchio, a tenor who was set to open and close both days of the convention, has made frequent appearances at Trump rallies since performing at the Republican convention in 2020. He even sang the national anthem at Trump’s second inauguration.
Macchio said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News he will always be Trump’s “loyal follower,” and will “do whatever to serve his interest.”
“He understands what good music is, and what traditional values imbued into music looks like,” he said.
While Macchio said he is certainly grateful for the chance to perform for a sitting U.S. president, he said he is more excited to be performing before this particular officeholder.
“It’s an honor to sing for the office,” he said, “but to be honest with you, much more important for me is singing for President Trump.”