Trump to award outspoken supporter Jon Voight with National Medal of Arts
President Donald Trump will award the National Medal of Arts to Jon Voight, an Oscar winner and outspoken Trump supporter, the White House announced Sunday.
Voight’s honor was announced along with seven other recipients of the National Medal of Arts and National Medal of Humanities, who will be presented with their medals on Thursday by the President and first lady Melania Trump.
The announcement recognizes Voight “for his exceptional capacity as an actor to portray deeply complex characters. Captivating audiences, he has given us insights into the richness of the human mind and heart.”
In March, the President appointed Voight to be a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through 2024.
The White House announcement does not mention Voight’s outspoken support for the President and his criticism of former President Barack Obama.
Earlier this year, Voight called Trump “the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln.”
He made a similar comparison at a 2017 inauguration rally, saying “God answered all our prayers” by getting Trump into the White House.
“And President Lincoln,” Voight said, “I’m sure is smiling knowing America will be saved by an honest and good man who will work for all the people, no matter their creed or color.”
Voight starred in the Academy Award-winning film “Midnight Cowboy” and won the Academy Award for best actor in 1978 for his portrayal of a paraplegic Vietnam War veteran in “Coming Home.”
The arts and humanities medals are typically awarded by US presidents annually, but this will be the first time Trump have given them out since taking office.
