Nick Sandmann addresses the nation at the Republican National Convention: 'I would not be canceled.'

CINCINNATI – Covington Catholic High School graduate Nick Sandmann Tuesday night stood before the Lincoln Memorial and introduced himself to the nation. 

"Good evening everyone. My name is Nick Sandmann, and I'm the teenager who was defamed by the media," Sandmann said as he opened his remarks at the Republican National Convention. 

Sandmann in 2019 found himself in the middle of a nationwide controversy after a video of him and a Native American elder facing each other in a crowd went viral. 

Tuesday night before a national audience, Sandmann recounted that fateful confrontation and lambasted the media for its coverage.

"How could I have possibly imagined the simple act of putting on that red hat would unleash hate from the left and make myself the target of network and cable news networks nationwide," Sandmann said. 

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An opening montage Tuesday night prior to Sandmann's remarks recapped the January 2019 incident that made Sandmann famous. It included clips from comedians Bill Maher, Trevor Noah and other commentators mocking Sandmann. 

Sandmann had been on a trip with Covington Catholic classmates for the March for Life on Jan. 18, 2019.

Then video circulated online showing Sandmann wearing a red Make America Great Hat and facing Native American elder Nathan Phillips in a crowd in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Phillips beat a drum in front of Sandmann. 

Twitter exploded with accusations of racism and privilege. News outlets like the Washington Post, NBC, CNN and The Enquirer all began reporting the story.

Sandmann said he bought his MAGA hat earlier in the day. He said his only thoughts during the confrontation was to not agitate Phillips and to not embarrass his family, friends and school. He said he kept his hands behind his back. He described his smile seen in the video as "awkward."

"What I thought was a strange encounter quickly developed into a major news story complete with video footage," Sandmann said. "My life changed forever in that one moment."

He accused the media of pushing an "anti-Christian, anti-conservative, anti-Donald Trump narrative."

"If advancing their narrative ruined the reputation and future of a teenager from Covington, Ky., well so be it," Sandmann said. "That would teach him not to wear a MAGA hat.”

He decried "cancel culture."

"I would not be canceled," he declared.

Sandmann filed suit against media organizations he claimed defamed him. He settled lawsuits with CNN and the Washington Post for undisclosed amounts. He has sued five other news companies, including Gannett, which owns The Enquirer.

He ended the speech by expressing for Trump.

"No one in this country has been a victim of unfair media coverage more than President Donald Trump," Sandmann said. 

Then he donned a red MAGA hat as his speech ended. 

The Republicans have invited several non-politicians to speak at the convention. The McCloskey's, who brandished guns as Black Lives Matter protesters passed by their St. Louis home in June, spoke on Monday night.