Just days from the midterm elections, The United States feels more politically charged than ever, and a large part of the country is about to BE very disappointed. Actor James Cromwell thinks that if Democrats FIND THEMSELVES on the losing side this election, there could soon be "blood on the streets."
Cromwell, a past Oscar nominee and highly regarded character actor, has built an impressive career out of not being a leading man. In fact, he just won an award for it.
On Sunday, Cromwell and five others were honored at the Carney Awards––an event named after late Oscar-winning actor Art Carney––celebrating character actors and their contributions to film and television.
Cromwell, however, seemed far more interested in the upcoming elections.
Both on the red carpet and in his acceptance speech Cromwell shared his thoughts about the midterms and his worries that if Republicans remain in power we could be looking at a revolution.
James Cromwell talks Trump administration, Kavanaugh and midterm elections https://t.co/YdeD4Peg8j https://t.co/CqX23FHFnb— Hollywood Reporter (@Hollywood Reporter)1540869086.0
Cromwell has been a political activist throughout his career and, like many, he believes the upcoming midterms could be the most important elections in recent memory.
In a time when the country seems more divided than ever, Cromwell worries that it could be a powder keg just waiting to ignite.
Speaking with Variety on the red carpet, Cromwell shared his concerns and opinion on Trump administration.
"This is nascent fascism. We always had a turnkey, totalitarian state — all we needed was an excuse, and all the institutions were in place to turn this into pure fascism. If we don't stop [President Trump] now, then we will have a revolution for real. Then there will be blood in the streets."
Later, during his acceptance speech, Cromwell shared similar thoughts.
"We're living in very curious times, and something is coming up which is desperately important to this country and to this planet, and that is an election, in which hopefully in some measure we are going to take back our democracy. We will have a government that represents us and not the donor class. We will cut through the corruption, [and] we won't have to do what comes next, which is either a non-violent revolution or a violent one, because this has got to end."
Cromwell's comments set off a firestorm of criticism on Twitter and he soon received threats from angry voters.
@Stonewall_77 @LeahR77 @jamesocromwell Hey Jimmy boy I’ll represent my side you yours. Meet you anywhere anytime.— Robert Michaels (@Robert Michaels)1540858037.0
You freaking idiot, @jamesocromwell, there's already been blood in the streets, in our schools, churches and synago… https://t.co/BXbukmp1Qo— Lee Jackson ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (@Lee Jackson ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)1540852391.0
@Stonewall_77 @jamesocromwell The unrest will continue until both Democrats and MSM accept their role and part in t… https://t.co/oliP2yVknc— Cash (@Cash)1540943375.0
Cromwell later walked back the statement on Twitter, saying Variety had taken it out of context.
Not promoting violence, voting against it. You will never see me raising a fist. I’m a pacifist. My words were take… https://t.co/1Bz6YeDqfN— James Cromwell 🐷 (@James Cromwell 🐷)1540918216.0
The @Variety article used an out of context quote 4 a headline and got just what they wanted - @twitter fired up. I… https://t.co/Jyz8qHkwr9— James Cromwell 🐷 (@James Cromwell 🐷)1540918298.0
Although Twitter wasn't having it.
@jamesocromwell We all know what you meant. Blood on the streets means exactly what it has always meant. YOU are pa… https://t.co/fQA2T3ffQd— Peggy Coco Miller (@Peggy Coco Miller)1540955977.0
@jamesocromwell You meant exactly what you said and I mean axactly what I say......BRING IT!!!!!!— Short Phat Okie (@Short Phat Okie)1540948022.0
@jamesocromwell I’m a moderate that didn’t vote Trump. I saw your words in context. You and people like you are m… https://t.co/bFWUSMnx9O— Mark Cotton (@Mark Cotton)1540927082.0
Seeing that he was fighting a losing battle Cromwell left Twitter with one last thought.
On November 6th, #Vote hate out and hope in.— James Cromwell 🐷 (@James Cromwell 🐷)1540918360.0