Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) told a touching story during the first night of the Republican National Convention on Monday of a time when President Donald Trump reached out to one of his family members who lost their son.
“I love the President’s intensity and his willingness to fight. But what I also appreciate is something most Americans never see – how much he truly cares about people,” Jordan said. “Our family’s seen it. Two years ago, our nephew Eli was killed in a car accident. He lived a mile from us. Grew up wrestling and training with our boys. Was a high school state champion. Varsity athlete for Wisconsin.”
“It was a Saturday morning, three days after the accident. I was walking to the car, to go to Eli’s parent’s home, when the President called,” Jordan continued. “We talked about a few issues. And then he asked how the family was doing. I said they’re doing ‘ok, but it’s tough.'”
“The President said ‘Yeah. Losing a loved one’s always difficult, and it’s really tough when they’re so young,'” Jordan continued. “I then said ‘Mr. President, I’m actually walking into their house right now. Obviously, they don’t know I’m talking to you. But if you’d be willing to say hello to Eli’s dad, you’d make a terrible day a little less terrible.'”
“‘What’s his name?’ the President asked. I walked through the door, and said ‘Todd, the President wants to talk to you,'” Jordan continued. “For the next five minutes, family and friends sat in complete silence, as the President of the United States took time to talk to a dad who was hurting.”
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Congressman Jim Jordan's full remarks at the @GOPconvention#RNC2020 pic.twitter.com/cBjPbuJSvu
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) August 25, 2020
TRANSCRIPT:
Good evening, I’m Congressman Jim Jordan representing the 4th district of Ohio.
The Republican party is the pro-America party. President Trump is the pro-America candidate.
This election is about who can preserve the values, principles, and institutions that Make America Great.
Don’t believe me? Look at what’s happening in America’s cities – all run by Democrats. Crime, violence, mob rule. Democrats refuse to denounce the mob.
And their response to the chaos? Defund the police, defund border patrol, defund the military. And while they’re doing all of this, they’re also trying to take away your guns.
Democrats won’t let you go to church, but they’ll let you protest.
Democrats won’t let you go to work, but they’ll let you riot.
Democrats won’t let you go to school, but they’ll let you loot.
President Trump has fought against their crazy ideas.
He’s taken on the swamp, the Democrats, the press, and the Never Trumpers.
And when you take on the swamp, the swamp fights back. They tried the Russia hoax, the Mueller investigation, and the fake impeachment. But despite this unbelievable opposition, look what this President has accomplished.
Taxes cut, regulations reduced, economy growing, lowest unemployment in 50 years, out of the Iran deal, embassy in Jerusalem, hostages home from North Korea, new USMCA agreement, and he’s building the wall, and rebuilding the economy.
I love the President’s intensity and his willingness to fight. But what I also appreciate is something most Americans never see – how much he truly cares about people.
Our family’s seen it. Two years ago, our nephew Eli was killed in a car accident.
He lived a mile from us. Grew up wrestling and training with our boys. Was a high school state champion. Varsity athlete for Wisconsin.
It was a Saturday morning, three days after the accident. I was walking to the car, to go to Eli’s parent’s home, when the President called.
We talked about a few issues. And then he asked how the family was doing. I said they’re doing “ok, but it’s tough.”
The President said “Yea. Losing a loved one’s always difficult, and it’s really tough when they’re so young.”
I then said “Mr. President, I’m actually walking into their house right now. Obviously, they don’t know I’m talking to you. But if you’d be willing to say hello to Eli’s dad, you’d make a terrible day a little less terrible.”
“What’s his name?” The President asked. I walked through the door, and said “Todd, the President wants to talk to you.”
For the next five minutes, family and friends sat in complete silence, as the President of the United States took time to talk to a dad who was hurting.
That’s the President I know. That’s the individual who’s Made America Great Again and who knows America’s best days are in front of us.
And that’s why I’m busting my tail to help him get re-elected. I’m asking you to do the same.
Thank you, and God Bless America.