Dick Van Dyke, 98, shares scathing response to Donald Trump being reelected: 'Fortunately I won't be around'

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By Kim Novak

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Dick Van Dyke has shared his response to Donald Trump becoming president again - and let's just say, he doesn't seem too pleased.

GettyImages-2158456900.jpgDick Van Dyke has shared his thoughts on Donald Trump returning to office. Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images

The 78-year-old became the second person ever to be re-elected a President of the United States in non-consecutive elections, having beaten rival Kamala Harris.

While the election results were clear cut and confirmed the following day after the polls closed, Trump remains a divisive figure as leader.

Dick Van Dyke shared his thoughts - and revealed he's glad he "won't be around" to see how it all pans out.

The beloved actor is set to turn 99 years old on December 13, and while he's still remarkably spry and independent, he acknowledged he will likely not see out the next full presidency.

Van Dyke was out on Tuesday with his wife, Arlene Silver, 52, when he was asked about his thoughts on the recent political victory by a paparazzi photographer.

GettyImages-2182894075.jpgTrump beat Harris to become the 47th President of the United States. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

The Daily Mail reports that they asked the Mary Poppins star: "Does the future look bright for America?"

Silver repeated the question to him as he didn't hear it at first, to which he responded: "I hope you’re right!"

The snapper then asked him: "Do you think Donald Trump is capable of making America great again?"

Van Dyke then shared a wry response, telling them with a smile: "Fortunately I won’t be around to experience the four years."

While he hadn't overtly expressed his political stance before the election, Van Dyke did subtly endorse Harris on Instagram as he encouraged others to vote.

The day before the election, he shared a video reciting a speech by Rod Serling, who he referred to as "the guy who wrote Twilight Zone", which he'd first read on May 31, 1964, next to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Los Angeles Colosseum.

Following the speech, he told his followers that "a lot has happened" over the resulting 50 years, but that a lot has also stayed the same, adding: "It’s not what Martin Luther King dreamed of but it’s a start. Thank you and God bless."


He then tagged the Harris campaign's Instagram account as well as Harris's own personal page as he told his followers: "VOTE!!!"

The veteran actor, who was born in 1925, has often joked about his mortality in recent years, as he creeps ever closer to triple figures.

In September, he was asked how he felt after missing this year's Primetime Emmy Awards, which he had been due to attend as a presenter, to which he responded: "I feel old."

When asked about his upcoming 99th birthday, he joked: "[I’m] just praying that I make it."

GettyImages-2170761725.jpgDick Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver, attended the Creative Arts Emmys on September 7, 2024. Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

As well as the Primetime Emmys, Van Dyke also skipped a three-day FanX event in Salt Lake City, Utah, from September 16-28 because "traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time," his team said in a statement released on September 23.

He did appear at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys on September 7 and continues to remain independent and mobile well into the end of his 90s.

Van Dyke also told reporters at the awards that he hopes to be remembered "for laughter" as his enduring legacy when he's gone.

Featured image credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images