Jane Fonda is warning that the U.S. is entering dangerous territory — and she’s urging people across the political spectrum to come together.
The 88-year-old Oscar winner appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, where she criticized the political climate under President Donald Trump and spoke out against actions she described as authoritarian, pointing specifically to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Why It Matters
Fonda has been a consistent political activist for decades, including her high-profile opposition to the Vietnam War in the 1970s. More recently, she used her 2025 SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award acceptance speech to call for resistance to policies and rhetoric she views as divisive. She has also repeatedly criticized Trump, including on climate issues.
Her latest comments come as protests in Minnesota have intensified in response to federal immigration enforcement actions in the state.
What She Said
During the interview, Fonda said the country is witnessing unprecedented developments.
“We’re seeing things happen that have never happened before,” she said, wearing a sweater that read “resist.”
Fonda argued that “authoritarianism has made its way into every nook and cranny of our government,” and alleged that people are being targeted in ways she said are unlawful. She also referenced incidents she associated with ICE enforcement, including the reported killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent named Jonathan Ross, and claims of protesters being injured.
“They’re shooting people. They’re blinding people,” she said.
Fonda pointed to a CBS interview aired January 16 with 21-year-old Kaden Rummler, who said he was blinded in his left eye after being hit in the face by a less-lethal round during protests connected to the reported killing of Good.
She then framed her message as moral rather than partisan.
“All kinds of really bad things are happening, and it’s not a question of right or left,” she said. “I don’t care what party you belong to; it’s a question of right or wrong.”
“I think lines are being crossed, and it’s enough,” she added, drawing applause from the audience.
Reaction Online
Fonda’s remarks triggered sharply divided reactions on X, with some users praising her as principled and others attacking her as extreme or unpatriotic.
What Happens Next
Celebrity criticism of ICE and the Trump administration has been increasingly visible at major events, including the Golden Globes, where Mark Ruffalo voiced concerns and other attendees wore pins supporting Good and opposing ICE.
With the 98th Academy Awards scheduled for March 15, more public statements from high-profile figures could follow.
