Sean Penn Warns Trump Might Endanger World if Re-elected

Los Angeles, CA — Actor Sean Penn recently appeared on Jim Acosta’s Substack podcast to promote his new film, “Words of War,” where he expressed serious concerns about former President Donald Trump returning to power.

Penn suggested in the May 4, 2025, podcast that if Trump were to seek a third term, it could lead to catastrophic consequences. “We should consider worst-case scenarios,” Penn said. “He might try to destroy the world before he ages out of life.” His comments follow discussions about world leaders, including El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.

During the interview, Penn made a striking analogy, stating, “I do think it’s a reasonable theory that Donald Trump is not unlike the spouse of someone who leaves him… who then murders their former partner because if they can’t have her, nobody can.” He further described Trump’s mindset as solipsistic, implying it may drive destructive actions as part of a power play.

Acosta and fellow guest Congressman Eric Swalwell echoed Penn’s views, with Swalwell stating, “What worries me is if he doesn’t believe there’s somebody who can protect him, you will see him ratchet up what he’s willing to do to the country to protect himself.” Swalwell, an executive producer of “Words of War,” emphasized the need for a Congress, media, and independent courts ready to hold power accountable.

Penn, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, emphasized the dangers of complacency, warning, “Those who think it can’t happen here either have not studied the certain indications that it will.” He referenced the struggles faced by Russians under oppressive regimes, drawing parallels to current political climates in the U.S.

The film “Words of War” focuses on Anna Politkovskaya, a murdered journalist from Russia. The movie is now showing in select theaters nationwide. Penn’s outspoken views on Trump have made headlines before; in 2018, he called the former president “an enemy of the state.”