In a recent episode of The View, Joy Behar raised the possibility that the U.S. could see martial law and President Donald Trump could potentially consolidate power to become a “dictator.”

The discussion came amid federal job cuts and economic turmoil, particularly with the Trump administration’s controversial trade policies and newly implemented tariffs.

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Co-host Whoopi Goldberg opened the segment by highlighting the continued economic chaos, citing Trump’s 104% tariff on China.

“Even his top advisers can’t figure out what’s going on,” Goldberg remarked, pointing to a public feud between tech mogul Elon Musk and trade adviser Peter Navarro.

Joy Behar questioned the president’s motives.

“I was home watching everything, and I’m thinking, he’s trying to destroy the country. Why is he doing that? I have a couple of theories,” Behar said. She proposed two theories: one that the economic collapse could benefit Trump’s billionaire allies by allowing them to buy assets at a discount, and another, from political strategist James Carville, that instability might be a tactic for Trump to consolidate power.”

Behar speculated that the chaos could eventually lead to Trump declaring martial law.

“Then he can say, ‘There’s too much chaos, we need martial law,’ and become a dictator,” Behar warned, though she acknowledged that this idea might seem far-fetched.

Goldberg and Behar both agreed, saying, “Anything is possible” in reference to what they perceived as growing economic frustration that could possibly lead to extreme measures.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, another The View co-host, weighed in, emphasizing the economic damage extending to both the rich and poor.

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“Elon Musk might have lost more than most,” she noted.

The conversation also touched on the broader implications of Trump’s trade policies, with Griffin urging viewers to contact their elected officials and advocate for tariffs that would reinstate the U.S. economy.