Rob Reiner Warns U.S. Has ‘One Year’ Before Becoming ‘Full-On Autocracy’ Under Trump
Actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner sounded the alarm on MSNBC’s “Velshi” Sunday, warning that the United States has “one year” before, in his words, it turns into a “full-on autocracy” under President Donald Trump.
“Make no mistake; we have a year before this country becomes a full-on autocracy and democracy completely leaves us,” Reiner claimed. “Donald Trump knows that in a free and fair election, he will lose. He will lose the House, and it will flip back to Democratic hands — with committee chairs able to hold hearings — and that’s the last thing he wants.”
Reiner said the Trump administration’s decision to deploy immigration officers and National Guard soldiers to major cities was “a preview” of what he fears could happen during next year’s elections. “Don’t be surprised when polling booths are surrounded by American military in the guise of making sure elections are fair,” he said. “Then you’ll see the commandeering of voting machines and ballot boxes to make sure the election is ‘secure.’ What that means is that he will then commandeer the election.”
The Spinal Tap II director also referenced his involvement in actress Jane Fonda’s revived “Committee for the First Amendment,” saying it’s needed to push back against what he views as threats to free speech. He cited the recent brief suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel as an example of “how far First Amendment rights are being infringed.”
Reiner said Trump’s “control over the media” and “use of military power” are hallmarks of authoritarian regimes. “An autocrat needs control of the media and control of the streets,” Reiner warned. “We’re in it right now, and we’re sliding downhill fast.”
A White House spokesperson dismissed Reiner’s comments in a brief statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “Trump Derangement Syndrome is a helluva disease.”
Reiner has been one of Trump’s most outspoken Hollywood critics, calling him a “mentally unstable malignant narcissist” and accusing him of “treason” during his first term in office.