In 2001, Lee Greenwood wore a red, white and blue jacket at Yankee Stadium to tell the world America was not on its knees.
Twenty-five years later, he just introduced Donald Trump at the first midterm convention in American political history.
He walked off that stage, called Newsmax, and gave America a one-word verdict.
Lee Greenwood Sings "God Bless the USA" at the First GOP Convention in Dallas
The Republican Party used the first midterm convention in the modern era to fire up the base before early voting kicks off in many states.
Lee Greenwood walked onto the American Airlines Center stage in Dallas and sang "God Bless the U.S.A." before introducing Trump to a crowd that broke into chants of "USA" the moment the president stepped to the podium.
Then Greenwood picked up the phone.
"It's electric," he told Newsmax. "There's so many people who love the president, love what we're doing."
That word – electric – was not thrown out casually. Greenwood has stood on enough stages to know the difference between a crowd that showed up and a crowd that is alive.
Trump was jovial and fully in command. The RNC organized the two-day gathering with 109 speakers to highlight the administration's record ahead of November.
"It did feel a lot like a rally," Greenwood said. "The president was great, and it was great being there and able to introduce him, like we've done quite a few times in the past."
The RNC changed its own rules in January 2026 to make the convention possible. Greenwood told Newsmax he was surprised neither party had done it sooner.
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters called it "a primetime showcase for President Trump's success, candidates, and causes." Greenwood called it electric. Both are right, but only one of them has earned the standing to make that call.
From the 2001 World Series to the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 at Yankee Stadium
He was on the Dallas stage in 1984 when Ronald Reagan accepted the Republican nomination for a second term – the same city, the same arena energy, a different generation of believers. Greenwood’s performed "God Bless the U.S.A." at six Republican National Conventions.
And in October 2001, he was at Yankee Stadium twice.
The first time was for a fireman's memorial. The second was Game 4 of the World Series, when he walked onto the field in that red, white and blue jacket – not just as a performer, but as a message.
"Getting back to sports was extremely important," Greenwood said, "because we had to let the rest of the world know that the attack of terrorism would not stop our way of life."
He called the 2001 World Series "a moment when America got off its knees." The jacket made that statement before the song was even sung.
On Friday morning, Greenwood returns to Yankee Stadium for the 25th anniversary of September 11. He will stand on that field with first responders, military honor guards, and the children of the dead.
Brielle Saracini's father captained United Flight 175. Her husband Sean McGuire's father worked on the 84th floor of the South Tower. They will throw ceremonial first pitches while a giant American flag unfurls in the outfield.
And Greenwood will sing the same song.
A man who has measured moments like that – who knows the difference between manufactured energy and the real thing – calling Dallas "electric" is not a compliment handed out to a friend.
It is a field report from someone who has been doing this since Reagan was president.
The convention closed Thursday night. Trump and Vice President JD Vance headlined the final session.
Greenwood told Newsmax that Americans have a responsibility to protect this country's institutions.
"Believe in what we do as a democracy," he said.
He has been doing this for 42 years and knows electric when he sees it.
Sources:
- "Lee Greenwood to Newsmax: GOP Energy 'Electric,'" Newsmax, September 10, 2026.
- Jennifer O., "Trump Lays Up the Wins, Teases a 'Trump Dividend,' for First-of-Its-Kind RNC Midterm Convention," RedState, September 9, 2026.
- "RNC Announces Convention Programming," GOP.com, 2026.
- "New York Yankees Recognize the 25th Anniversary of 9/11," YES Network, September 2026.