Donald Trump continues to be the target of criticism following the new measures he implemented upon his return to office in January 2025. Since his return, many celebrities have complained about it, this time it was Sean Penn’s turn.
The actor recently appeared on Jim Acosta’s Substack podcast dedicated to the “Worlds of War” project, a film he executive produced that examines the threats to democracy and press freedom. Penn took the opportunity to warn of the risks that, in his opinion, the U.S. president will pose not only to the country, but to the entire world.
The star of “I Am Sam” declared that Trump’s behavior could become very destructive in the near future. He even stated that it’s necessary to consider the worst-case scenarios, accusing him of trying to “destroy the world before his life is over.”
“I think it’s a reasonable theory that Donald Trump is no different than someone’s wife who leaves him, maybe for another, who then murders her ex-partner because if they can’t have her, no one can. I think Donald Trump and his solipsism can have that relationship with the world, and that this destruction is partly a power play and also a literal intention of his eventual exit,” commented the Oscar winner for “Milk.”
Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, a producer on the project, also participated in the conversation. He added to Penn’s speech that institutions play a crucial role in avoiding a scenario like the one Penn describes.
“ Our only hope is a Congress that controls it, a press that reports on it, a court that is independent to decide it, and a square full of Americans who say, ‘Hell no! ‘” Swalwell said.
Let’s remember that actress Jane Fonda and, more recently, director Pedro Almodovar have also spoken out about the president, saying that “he will go down in history as a catastrophe.”
These statements come after Donald Trump announced the implementation of 100% tariffs on films produced outside the United States. According to the president, this new order aims to revive the local film industry.