NOTE: VIDEOS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams issued a stark warning about the future of American democracy, claiming that former President Donald Trump is taking steps that mirror the rise of autocratic regimes around the world. But her remarks quickly drew sharp backlash, including from GOP figures like Karoline Leavitt, who slammed Abrams for what she called “hypocritical fearmongering.”
Abrams, a vocal Democrat and frequent media figure, spoke with guest host Anthony Anderson and outlined what she described as the “10 steps to autocracy.” While not citing any official framework, she claimed that Trump has already taken several of those steps and is steering the U.S. toward authoritarian rule.
“Start with winning an election,” Abrams began. “Usually, the last one you’ll get to have for real.” She then listed countries like Brazil, India, Russia, and the Philippines as former democracies that, in her view, transitioned to autocracy through a gradual erosion of democratic norms.
She accused Trump of consolidating executive power and weakening the judiciary and Congress, referencing the Supreme Court in particular. “Like, I don’t know, the Supreme Court is giving you unfettered power and saying we don’t have the ability to stop things,” she said—though she offered no specific rulings to support the claim.
Critics were quick to point out that Abrams did not address the Biden administration’s decision to push forward with student loan forgiveness after the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. Nor did she mention that Trump has been the subject of four criminal indictments brought during the Biden administration, which Trump supporters argue are politically motivated.
Abrams went on to accuse Trump of trying to “gut the civil service” and of replacing impartial law enforcement with political loyalists. “So they go after your enemies,” she said, adding that this kind of action is typical of rising autocracies.
She also attacked Trump’s opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, claiming his stance is rooted in trying to “find someone to blame.”
Perhaps the most controversial moment of the interview came when Abrams referenced Trump’s deployment of U.S. Marines and National Guard forces in Los Angeles during violent protests, saying, “You send the U.S. Marines into spaces where they should not be… you kidnap people off the streets and pretend that’s normal.” Reports confirm that federal forces were sent to secure ICE operations after violent demonstrations, where rioters targeted federal agents and property. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was even seen at the scene attempting to block one of the raids.
Abrams concluded her segment by suggesting that Trump’s final step would be halting future elections. “Once you’ve done those nine steps, step 10 is easy. That’s when you decide there won’t be new elections because everyone’s either afraid, poor, broken, or complicit.”
Republicans wasted no time hitting back. Former Trump spokeswoman and GOP firebrand Karoline Leavitt blasted Abrams, calling her a “serial election denier” and “the last person qualified to warn about autocracy.” Leavitt referenced Abrams’ 2018 loss to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, a race she repeatedly claimed was stolen. In 2019, Abrams declared, “I didn’t lose. I got the votes. But we won’t know exactly how many because of how they cheated.”
Adding fuel to the fire, several nonprofit groups linked to Abrams are under IRS scrutiny for allegedly violating federal laws by engaging in partisan political activity while claiming tax-exempt status.
As the 2024 election season intensifies, Abrams’ dramatic warnings and the GOP’s fierce pushback underscore just how divided the national conversation on democracy, power, and truth has become.
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