Health care workers praise Trump's coronavirus response on Night 1 of RNC

Former NFL player Herschel Walker. Republican National Convention

Former NFL star Herschel Walker spoke at the Republican National Convention on Monday and said he has a “deep personal friendship” with President Donald Trump and has known him for 37 years. 

“It hurt my soul to hear the terrible names that people call Donald. The worst one is ‘racist.’ I take it as a personal insult that people would think I've had a 37-year friendship with a racist. People who think that don’t know what they are talking about. Growing up in the Deep South, I've seen racism up close. I know what it is. And it isn’t Donald Trump,” said Walker, who is African American. 

Walker said Trump is a “caring, loving father” and that over the years he has “watched (Trump) treat the janitors, security guards, and waiters the same way he would treat a VIP.”

Walker is a 1982 Heisman Trophy winner, former pro football star and a former Olympian. 

In 2008, Walker published a book, “Breaking Free," and revealed he had a form of mental illness called dissociative identity disorder, or DID, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. He told CNN at the time that he hoped to educate the public and break down stereotypes about this disorder.

President Trump speaks to frontline workers in the White House in Washington. Republican National Convention

President Trump made a “surprise” appearance in tonight’s Republican National Convention appearing with frontline workers in the East Room of the White House.

The President nor the participants were wearing masks and did not seem to be social distancing.

"These are great, great people. Doctors, nurses, firemen, a policeman. We want to thank you, all you've been incredible and we want to thank you and all the millions of people that you represent," the President continued.

The participants shared their stories and described their line of work, including a registered nurse who praised Trump's leadership.

"I am so in awe of your leadership. Honestly, I know many people have said often interesting things but it takes a true leader to be able to ignore all that stuff and take what is right and not be offended by all the words being said. You really do show that positive spirit to us and as nurses I appreciate that, I'm grateful for," she said.

RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Republican National Convention

The official roll call renominating President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to the 2020 Republican ballot took place earlier today in Charlotte, North Carolina, but during the Republican National Convention's primetime event, a video montage was shown to mark the moment.

"We have created a short video to symbolize the excitement for President Trump across all 50 states and territories," RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said.

Participants in different parts of the country cheered "four more years."

Watch the video:

Kimberly Klacik, the Republican nominee running for the late congressman Elijah E. Cummings’s seat against Rep. Kweisi Mfume in Maryland. Republican National Convention

Kim Klacik, who is running for Maryland’s 7th Congressional District, said Democrats have controlled Baltimore for far too long and assumed "Black people will vote for them, no matter how much they let us down and take us for granted."

"We’re sick of it and not going to take it anymore. The days of blindly supporting the Democrats are coming to an end," she said.

Klacik went on to slam Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, saying that he believes "we can’t think for ourselves — that the color of someone’s skin dictates their political views.

"We’re not buying the lies anymore — you and your party have ignored us for too long," she said.

Klacik praised Trump's efforts, saying he is "bringing this country back roaring."

Klacik is running for the seat formerly held by the late Rep. Elijah Cummings. The race is rated "Solid Democrat" by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

Watch:

Charlie Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point USA. Republican National Convention

During the opening remarks of the Republican National Convention, Charlie Kirk, founder of the youth-oriented conservative group Turning Point USA, claimed that “bitter, deceitful, vengeful activists…have us locking up pastors.” 

Facts First: This connection is not true. Pastors in the US have been arrested for disobeying state and local social distancing orders during the pandemic by holding in-person church services. One of the first instances of a pastor being arrested in the US happened in late March when a Florida pastor held two church services that disobeyed state health emergency rules. The pastor turned himself in at the time, the Associated Press reported. CNN could not find instances of pastors being arrested because of “bitter, deceitful, vengeful activists.”

Amy Johnson Ford. Republican National Convention

A West Virginia nurse who was deployed to New York and Texas to work as a relief nurse during the coronavirus pandemic praised President Trump for his efforts to stop the virus.

The nurse, Amy Johnson Ford, said "we have President Trump to thank" for expanded telehealth access amid the pandemic.

"President Trump recognized the threat this virus presented for all Americans early on, and made rapid policy changes. And as a result, telehealth services are now accessible to more than 71 million Americans, including 35 million children," Ford said.

She added: "As a health care professional, I can tell you without hesitation, Donald Trump's quick action and leadership saved thousands of lives during Covid-19. And the benefits of that response extend far beyond coronavirus."

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. Republican National Convention

Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida and longtime defender of President Trump, slammed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, issuing a scathing description of the former vice president's leadership and policies.

"I’m speaking from an auditorium emptier than Joe Biden’s daily schedule," Gaetz said in his remarks, speaking from the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. "But we are a nation of full hearts — and clear minds. We see the choice clearly: Strength or weakness. Energy or confusion. Success or failure. And Biden knows failure."

Gaetz praised Trump's leadership and vision for the country.

"Donald Trump like all builders is a visionary. That which is built in the mind is even more powerful than the brick and mortar that holds it together," Gaetz said.

"President Trump sometimes raises his voice — and a ruckus. He knows that’s what it takes to raise an army of patriots who love America and will protect her," Gaetz said.

"America is not just an idea or a constitution, it is our home. We must protect our home with unbreakable Made-in-America strength — strength I see every day in President Donald Trump," the congressman said in closing.

Watch:

Charlie Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point USA. Republican National Convention

Charlie Kirk, founder and president of conservative youth activist organization Turning Point USA, praised President Trump's leadership and warned that the 2020 presidential election "is a decision between preserving America as we know it, and eliminating everything that we love."

Kirk said that if reelected in November, Trump would help give youth and future generations a better country.

"This election is the most critical since 1860, when a man named Lincoln was elected to preserve the union from disintegration. This election is not just the most important of our lifetime — it is most important since the preservation of the Republic in 1865," Kirk said.

"By reelecting Trump, we will ensure that our kids are raised to love our country and respect our founding father, not taught to hate or be ashamed of them," he continued.

"We will be a country that has its best 100 years ahead. We will build a future where America remains the greatest country ever to exist in the history of the world. All of that is within our grasp if we secure 4 more years for the defender of western civilization, our champion, my friend, the 45th president of the United States, President Donald J trump," Kirk said.

Kirk described Turning Point USA as "the largest pro-American student organization in the country" that is "fighting for the future of our Republic."

Watch:

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. Republican National Convention

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, delivered the opening prayer ahead of Monday's primetime speeches at the Republican National Convention.

Dolan called on prayers for front line workers and those suffering from the coronavirus. He called for prayers for all lives to be protected -- an apparent nod to recent anti-police brutality demonstration across the country. He also pushed for prayers for immigrants and unborn infants.

"Pray we must that all lives may be protected and respected in our troubled cities and the police who guard them, in tense world situations where our men and women in uniform keep the peace, for the innocent life of the baby in the womb, for our elders in nursing care and hospice, for our immigrants and refugees, those lives threatened by religious persecution throughout the world or by plague, hunger, drugs, human trafficking or war," Dolan said as the Statue of Liberty was seen in the background.

Before concluding, Dolan called for watchers to "pray for democracy," for "an electorate so eager to perform its duty of faithful citizenship."

Dolan received online criticism for accepting the invitation to pray at the RNC, but earlier Monday, he defended his appearance, saying that he doesn't see a prayer offering as an endorsement of a party or candidate.