Dennis Quaid, the acclaimed actor set to portray Ronald Reagan in the forthcoming biopic "Reagan," recently expressed his admiration for former President Donald Trump.
Quaid's comments came in the wake of Trump's notable visits to minority communities in New York City.
Quaid shared his views during an interview on "Jesse Watters Primetime," following Trump's significant rally in the South Bronx. The event, which drew thousands of supporters, is seen as part of Trump's campaign for the 2024 presidential race.
"I have great respect for Trump's initiative to engage with the neighborhoods," Quaid told Watters. "People resonate with such gestures. If anything, the adversities he has faced have only made him more relatable to the masses."
Quaid further elaborated on Trump's vision, stating, "Donald Trump has been advocating for a fresh start, a clean sweep. This doesn't imply authoritarianism. It simply means we need to start fulfilling the demands of the American people."
Quaid's comments echo the historical significance of Ronald Reagan's visit to the South Bronx in the summer of 1980. During his visit, Reagan criticized then-President Jimmy Carter for his lack of attention to urban revitalization, comparing the area to London after World War II. This visit was a precursor to Reagan's narrow victory in New York in the 1980 general election by nearly 3 percentage points.
Reagan's success continued in 1984 when he won New York by an 8-point margin in his 49-state landslide victory. Since Reagan's triumphs, no Republican candidate has managed to secure this traditionally Democratic stronghold in a general election.
Quaid, who lived through the Reagan era, described the former president's visit to the South Bronx as "highly significant." He said, "It required courage to venture there. He risked public humiliation."
Quaid revealed that Reagan was the first president he ever voted for, describing him as a "man of the people" and a "masterful communicator."
In the upcoming biopic "Reagan," Quaid will portray the 40th president of the United States. "It's a compelling film that will evoke nostalgia for the America of yesteryears and inspire hope for what America can become," Quaid said. "It's a tribute to Reagan, a remarkable human being, and I'm proud of the film."
When Watters asked Quaid about any similarities between 1980 and the present, Quaid affirmed his belief in the slogan, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"
The movie "Reagan" is scheduled for release in theaters on August 30.
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