LOS ANGELES – In a bold escalation of anti-Trump activism, comedian and vocal critic Rosie O’Donnell has ignited calls for a “Mass Blackout”—a week-long nationwide work stoppage by liberals designed to grind America’s economy to a halt and pressure President Donald Trump’s administration. The October 15 announcement, made during a fiery podcast appearance, positions the boycott as a “moral strike” against what O’Donnell decries as Trump’s “authoritarian stranglehold,” urging progressives to forgo paychecks from October 27 to November 2 to spotlight issues like 515,000 deportations and $41 billion deficit trims via tariffs.
O’Donnell, 63, who relocated to Ireland amid Trump’s second-term threats to revoke her citizenship, framed the action as “economic civil disobedience” echoing the 1946 labor strikes that crippled industries. “If we withhold our labor—the engine of this $28 trillion beast—they’ll feel it in their boardrooms,” she thundered, targeting blue-collar Democrats in key sectors like tech, media, and retail. Backed by allies including Portland rally organizers and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s general strike echoes, the plan has garnered 150,000 pledges on a dedicated app, with hashtags like #BlackoutTrump trending amid the fizzling “No Kings” protests’ 7 million turnout.
The timing couldn’t be more charged. With the government shutdown at Day 23 furloughing 800,000 workers and OMB Director Russ Vought freezing $2.1 billion in Chicago transit funds, O’Donnell’s ploy risks amplifying economic woes rather than alleviating them. Economists warn a mass absenteeism could shave $50 billion from GDP, spiking unemployment to 4.5% and inflating holiday shortages, but O’Donnell dismisses it as “short-term pain for long-term gain.” “Trump’s tariffs crushed manufacturing—now we crush the complacency,” she added, nodding to the 7th straight monthly contraction.
Republicans pounce. VP J.D. Vance, eyeing 2028, quipped at a Cleveland rally, “Rosie’s blackout? More like a tantrum—our economy’s booming without their drama.” House Speaker Mike Johnson tied it to Schumer’s 51-46 Senate flop, branding it “sabotage by elites who fled to Ireland.” Polls show 58% of independents view it as “counterproductive,” with 62% approving Trump’s 77 million-vote mandate. As self-deportations hit 1.6 million and a “red tsunami” forecasts GOP gains in 2026, O’Donnell’s gambit teeters: Spark of revolution or spark to self-immolation? In a nation of divided desks, the blackout beckons—will liberals punch out, or punch back?
