When Twitter users saw that actor Scott Baio was trending, some thought he had died or that a “Joanie Loves Chachi” remake was in the works.
The former “Happy Days” and “Charles in Charge” star was actually gaining notice for his politics rather than his work.
Baio endorsed Donald Trump for president during an appearance on Fox News’ “Justice with Judge Jeanine” show Saturday, and his announcement began picking up steam on social media soon after.
Host Jeanine Pirro asked Baio to name his presidential pick.
“Trump,” he said.
“It’s very simple, because when he speaks I understand him,” Baio explained. “He speaks like I speak. He communicates with people very well.”
Baio said that in addition to Trump’s straight talk, he likes that the businessman is a political outsider compared with the other Republican candidates.
“I’m fed up, I’m done with them, I’m done with the Republicans. They’ve lied and conned and BS’d me for a very long time now and I don’t even consider myself Republican anymore. I’m a conservative independent.”
Baio said playing nice doesn’t work anymore, and Trump is just the man to hit the Democrats where it hurts. “They’re gonna attack whomever the Republican nominee is and we need somebody to relentlessly, relentlessly attack Hillary.”
Baio has long been an outspoken conservative. Last year, he supported a different Republican for commander in chief: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. “Gov. Walker sounds a lot like President Reagan,” he tweeted.
The actor, who appeared in the TV series “Diagnosis Murder” and “Arrested Development,” also works as a director.
Other celebrities who have spoken out in support of Trump include Kid Rock, Dennis Rodman, Mike Tyson and Wayne Newton.
