Comedian and actress Amanda Seales is drawing attention — and controversy — after calling President Donald Trump a “revolutionary” during a recent Instagram Live session, arguing that revolution does not always equate to progress.
In the livestream, Seales challenged her viewers to rethink their understanding of the term “revolution.”
“You know what’s the truth that y’all don’t want to hear? Trump is a revolutionary. But you sit with that for a second,” she said. “Because a lot of y’all think revolutionary is only for positive change. … If you think that revolution only comes in a package of progress for the people, you are incorrect.”
Seales went on to define revolution as the “overthrow in favor of an alternative government” and suggested that Trump and his allies have used revolutionary tactics, albeit not for the collective good.
A Different Framing of “Revolution”
Her comments sparked immediate debate across social media platforms. Supporters praised Seales for pointing out that “revolution” is a neutral term that can also describe destructive or regressive movements. Critics accused her of elevating Trump and undermining the experiences of those harmed by his policies.
Political analysts note that Seales’ framing taps into an ongoing conversation in American politics over the language of activism and disruption.
The president has been credited by allies and critics alike with reshaping the Republican Party and challenging long-standing political norms — hallmarks of revolutionary disruption, though not necessarily positive for all Americans.
Social Media Reacts
Clips of Seales’ livestream circulated widely on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. Some users agreed with her assessment, while others criticized it as irresponsible.
“I think Amanda is just stating facts about what ‘revolution’ means,” one user wrote. “It doesn’t have to be good to be a revolution.”
Others, however, pushed back, calling her remarks “tone deaf” and “unhelpful.”
“Awesome! Continue to sow division. BTW…I believe you meet all of the requirements to run for public office. So let’s see your name on a ballot so you can you can start to be the change you want to see. 👍🏾,” went one sarcastic comment,
Context Matters
Seales, best known for her roles on HBO’s Insecure and as a co-host on The Real, has frequently used her platform to discuss politics and social issues.
Her comments reflect a broader frustration with political leaders she believes have failed to counter disruptive tactics with equal force.
