Morgan Freeman calls Trump presidency 'absolutely the worst' amid criticism of immigration policies

Morgan Freeman agreed that young people were experiencing one of the 'worst' times in the country’s history, certainly in their lifetime
PUBLISHED FEB 28, 2026
Morgan Freeman criticized President Donald Trump and his policies during a live interview on MS NOW (The Last Word/MS NOW, Getty Images)
Morgan Freeman criticized President Donald Trump and his policies during a live interview on MS NOW (The Last Word/MS NOW, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Legendary Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman used a recent television appearance to criticize President Donald Trump.

He delivered a strong attack on the president's leadership and warned about the country's direction.

The 88-year-old Hollywood veteran made his remarks during a live interview on MS NOW, which quickly drew national attention for their direct tone and historical comparisons.



Morgan Freeman criticizes Trump and his leadership

Freeman did not limit his criticism to vague dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies.

“Can I use any profanity?” Morgan Freeman asked ‘The Last Word’ host Lawrence O’Donnell when prompted for his thoughts on the current state of the country.

“You can say whatever you want,” O’Donnell replied.

CULVER CITY, CA - JUNE 07:  Actor Morgan Freeman attends the 40th AFI Life Achievement Award honorin
Morgan Freeman attends the 40th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Shirley MacLaine held at Sony Pictures Studios on June 7, 2012, in Culver City, California (Getty Images)

“Well, we have somebody in the White House who is leading us down a s**thole,” the Oscar winner declared on the live TV show. 

Freeman, 88, appeared on the MS NOW show to discuss 'The Gray House', an upcoming Amazon Prime miniseries he produced. 

Morgan Freeman talks of Trump’s convictions

“I can’t personally understand how a convicted felon, convicted, gets to be president. How do you do that?" the actor said in his trademark booming voice.

He specifically mentioned Trump’s 2024 conviction on 34 counts of felony falsifying business records. 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 27: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Port of Corpus Christi on February 27, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Trump visited Texas to deliver remarks on affordability and economic issues less than a week before the state's midterm primary elections on March 3rd. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks at the Port of Corpus Christi on February 27, 2026, in Corpus Christi, Texas (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

Freeman noted that the verdict came before Trump’s return to the White House and questioned the reasoning behind such electoral success.

“They say, ‘Well, he was...’ I don’t care! That ruling went down before he stepped into the Oval Office, so it just doesn’t make sense to me,” Freeman said.

Morgan Freeman draws parallels with 1930s Germany

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ star also made a controversial historical comparison in modern political discussion, linking America’s current direction to 1930s Germany.

“I’m constantly reminded of Germany in 1935,” Freeman said, comparing some elements of US policy and social changes to concerning trends from that time.

Freeman described what he saw as a backsliding of the US towards a dark period in world history.

Morgan Freeman speaks onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Morgan Freeman speaks onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“The brownshirts, those people that are marching through—particularly Berlin—and rounding up people, putting them in boxcars, and sending them off. Now, this administration wants to build large detention centers. And for what?” he said.

The actor agreed that young people were experiencing one of the “worst” times in the country’s history, certainly in their lifetime.

“Absolutely. Absolutely the worst,” he said, before offering one piece of advice.

He criticized proposed detention centers and other elements of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, suggesting they echo darker historical precedents.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 24: President Donald Trump arrives to deliver the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran. (Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump arrives to deliver the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC (Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)

“I don’t know what I would say to young people other than, if you are aware of where we are right now, and where we’re headed, and if you don’t agree with it, there is one true way to change the direction of our country: vote,” the actor concluded.

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