Sylvester Stallone emerges as Donald Trump supporter, likens president-elect to Rocky, Jesus

Sylvester Stallone has sensationally emerged as a Donald Trump supporter, likening the president-elect to his character Rocky and Jesus in a glowing speech.

Sylvester Stallone has emerged as a staunch Donald Trump supporter, likening the president-elect to his beloved character Rocky, as well as revered religious figure Jesus Christ, in a gushing speech at Mar-a-Lago.

The US actor, 78, delivered a two-minute address at an awards gala at Mr Trump’s resort in Florida on Thursday, local time, in which Stallone also drew comparisons between the incoming United States president and former leader George Washington, who served as the first president of the US from 1789 until 1797.

Stallone, a father of three young daughters and one son, described Mr Trump’s victory over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris as a feat “nobody in the world could have pulled off.”

Sylvester Stallone has emerged as a Donald Trump supporter, giving a glowing speech about the president-elect at a Mar-a-Lago event.

“We’re in the presence of a really mythical character,” Stallone told the crowd.

“I love mythology. And this individual does not exist on this planet. Nobody in the world could have pulled off what he pulled off, so I’m in awe.”

Stallone continued, “When George Washington defended his country, he had no idea that he was gonna change the world. Because without him, you could imagine what the world would look like …

“Guess what? We got the second George Washington.”

Stallone’s Trump-Jesus-Rocky parallel came as the actor described the first few seconds of the critically acclaimed Academy Award winning 1976 film Rocky, which opens focusing on a portrait of Jesus Christ hung up in a boxing studio, before the camera pans to underdog-turned-boxing great Rocky Balboa [Stallone] exercising grit as he fights back against his opponent.

“At that moment, he [Balboa] was a chosen person, and that’s how I began the journey — something was gonna happen, this man was gonna go through a metamorphosis and change lives, just like President Trump,” Stallone said.

Stallone then welcomed Mr Trump onstage, with the pair embracing as the actor handed over to the incoming US president.

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump greets actor Sylvester Stallone onstage at the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Given Rocky is considered one of the greatest films of all time, with the title character a personification of a fighter who built a courageous rags-to-riches legacy, fans of Stallone and his franchise have reacted in disappointment over his devout endorsement of Mr Trump.

“Damn. Sylvester Stallone was MAGA all this time? I’m so confused,” one user wrote on X.

“Rambo and Rocky just died tonight folks. Sylvester Stallone said Trump is the second George Washington. I’m sorry folks. There will be no funerals for either of them,” another said.

“Sylvester Stallone lost a life long fan today. A life long fan. Followed him through thick and thin. Paid to see every movie in theaters (sic). God, even the last Expendables. Today? (Stallone) is officially garbage and dead to me,” came another scathing assessment.

“Anyone else disgusted by Sylvester Stallone?” a fourth questioned.

Rocky is considered one of the greatest movies of all time.

The title character, Rocky Balboa, is beloved among cinema fans. Picture: Getty Images

While Stallone has been considered a supporter of the Republican Party, he’s previously made relatively neutral comments in regards to politics.

Back in 2016, when asked if he supported Mr Trump’s campaign, Stallone conceded he was, indeed, a fan of Mr Trump, though clarified he was unsure if he would be a fit candidate to run the country.

“He’s a great Dickensian character. You know what I mean? There are certain people like Arnold [Schwarzenneger], Babe Ruth, that are bigger than life,” Stallone told Variety in January 2016.

“But I don’t know how that translates … to running the world.”

Stallone shares three daughters, Sophia, 28, Sistine, 26, and Scarlet, 22, with his wife of 27 years, former model Jennifer Flavin.

He also had two sons, Sage and Seargeoh, the latter of whom is now 45, from his first marriage with actor Sasha Czack.

Sage died of coronary artery disease caused by atherosclerosis in 2012. He was 36.

Originally published as Sylvester Stallone emerges as Donald Trump supporter, likens president-elect to Rocky, Jesus