Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman delivered a blistering, profanity-laced critique of President Donald Trump during a Thursday evening appearance on MSNBC's "The Last Word" with host Lawrence O'Donnell. The legendary performer, known for his dignified roles, began the segment by asking O'Donnell for permission to "use profanity" before launching into his pointed political commentary.
A Stark Comparison to History
Freeman, who last appeared on the program in 2020 following the death of civil rights icon John Lewis, expressed profound concern about America's current political direction. "Well, we have somebody sitting in the White House who's leading us down a shithole," Freeman stated bluntly after receiving O'Donnell's approval for his language choice.
The actor specifically referenced Trump's recent legal troubles, questioning how someone convicted on multiple felony counts could occupy the presidency. "I can't personally understand how a convicted felon, convicted, with 34 felonious counts of wrongdoing gets to be president," Freeman remarked, alluding to the 2024 hush money trial where Trump was found guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business documents.
Historical Parallels Raised
Freeman drew disturbing historical parallels during the interview, comparing contemporary American politics to Germany in 1935. "I'm constantly reminded of Germany in 1935," he told O'Donnell. "What was happening there? The brownshirts, those people that are marching through, particularly Berlin, and rounding up people, putting them in boxcars and sending them off."
The actor connected this historical reference to current immigration policies, noting that "this administration wants to build large detention centers." This observation comes amid reports that the Trump administration has rapidly expanded immigration detention facilities, with detainee numbers increasing by 50% over the past year and numerous accounts describing inhumane conditions within these centers.
Promoting Civic Engagement
Freeman appeared on the program partly to promote "The Gray House," a Prime Video series he helped produce that dramatizes the true story of a woman-led network of Union Army spies during the Civil War. However, the conversation quickly turned to contemporary political concerns.
When O'Donnell noted that many young people feel demoralized by the current political landscape, describing it as "the worst" they've experienced, Freeman offered straightforward advice. "I don't know what I would say to young people, other than if you are at all aware of where we're headed, where we are right now and where we're headed — and if you don't agree with it — there is one sure way to change the direction of our country: Vote."
The actor emphasized that Trump's conviction occurred before he assumed office, adding to his confusion about the current political situation. "That ruling went down before he stepped into the Oval Office. So it just doesn't make sense to me," Freeman concluded, referencing Trump's dismissal of his conviction as a "rigged decision."
