Antonio Sabato Jr., an actor known for his support of President Trump, touted his new conservative film company as a counterbalance to the leftward lean of Hollywood where Republicans often feel ostracized.
In an interview with the Kyle Olson Show, the soap opera star explained his intent for ConFlix Studios, which he promises will produce projects that “support our country, support our God, [and] support our flag.”
“The American people are behind it. We are patriots who want to keep going [and] support our country,” Sabato, who is listed as the studio’s president, said. “I want to keep promoting things that make this country great, that have made this country great for such a long time. … We are here to support our country, and I love this place so much.”
ConFlix Studio’s debut picture, Trail Blazers, will boast an all-star cast of well-known conservative celebrities, including Kristy Swanson, Scott Baio, Stacey Dash, Robert Wagner, and Dean Cain. The thriller will tell the story of “a band of siblings who were once robbers, thieves, and killers of the west [who] decide to fulfill their fathers [sic] dying wish of abandoning their life of crime and [pursue] the path of the holy,” according to its IMDb page.
The Italian-born actor, who was subsequently naturalized as a U.S. citizen, first became a conservative darling in 2016 when he delivered an address in support of then-candidate Trump to the Republican National Convention. Sabato, who had previously remained apolitical, told the convention attendees that he was moved to action by his moral conviction that Trump was the right choice for president.
“The truth is that I never considered myself very political or spoken out politically before, but my belief in this country and my faith in Jesus Christ have compelled me to speak now,” he said. “I am concerned about our country’s future … and I believe we need Donald Trump.”
Sabato said that his decision to speak out on behalf of the Republican nominee resulted in his being “blacklisted” in Hollywood.
“I had to sell everything. I had to pay all my debts. I was blacklisted,” he lamented. “All my representatives left me, from agents to managers to commercial agents. I literally had to move, find a new job to survive, and take care of my kids. It’s been terrible. It’s mind-blowing. It’s a disgrace.”
During his interview with Kyle Olson, Sabato, Jr. vowed that his studio will depart from this norm, allowing actors to hold differing political beliefs without fear of reprisal.
“Conflix Studios is going to be a studio which is going to allow people to be free without being handcuffed and having regulations about what you can speak and what you cannot speak,” he said.
