Actress Jean Smart recently escalated public scrutiny of Donald Trump by asserting that he “wishes” to be a dictator, and she emphatically called on Americans to join the nationwide “No Kings” protests. (Facebook)

In remarks shared online, Smart said: “The current resident of The White House seems to think that he has everybody fooled. But he has made it abundantly clear that he admires dictators.” (X (formerly Twitter)) Her comments tie into a broader wave of dissent directed at Trump’s second presidency and growing concerns about executive overreach.

The “No Kings” protests, which have already drawn attention across the country, are organizing demonstrations against what activists describe as autocratic tendencies in the Trump administration. (en.wikipedia.org) Smart’s call adds celebrity momentum to the movement, pushing it further into the spotlight.

Her remarks and the movement itself underscore the tension in U.S. politics over the balance of power between the presidency and democratic checks. Whether this will deepen divisions or galvanize broader participation in protest campaigns remains to be seen