Robert Reich said Donald Trump had whipped his supporters into such a frenzy that Republicans are afraid to speak out against him.
The economist and former Secretary of Labor recounted a recent conversation he had with a GOP former congressman he’s known for years, and he asked his friend what he thought of Trump.
“Trump is a maniac,” the ex-lawmaker said, according to Reich. “He’s a clear and present danger to America.”
The former congressman admitted he was a coward for not speaking out against Trump, saying that he was afraid of the GOP presidential nominee’s supporters.
“I hate to admit it, but I’m afraid of them,” the ex-lawmaker said. “Some of those Trumpistas are out of their f*cking minds.”
The former congressman said other Republicans were as fearful for their own physical safety, and not just their political futures.
“The Trump crowd is just too dangerous,” he said. “Trump has whipped them up into a g*ddamn frenzy.”
The former lawmaker argued that he wasn’t as bad as Mike Pence, Newt Gingrich or Rudy Giuliani, but Reich said his fears were troubling.
“Isn’t this how dictators and fascists have come to power in other nations?” Reich said. “Respected leaders don’t dare take a stand.”
