‘American Pickers’ Star Danielle Speaks Out After Trump Inauguration

After President Donald Trump was inaugurated on Monday, Danielle Colby has taken to Instagram to share various resources and encourage her followers to “band together.”

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Colby for comment on Wednesday outside of normal business hours.

Why It Matters

Trump was sworn in as the 47th president at a ceremony in the Capitol Hill rotunda on Monday morning. In his inauguration speech, Trump promised to introduce sweeping changes and later signed multiple executive orders, including on pardoning January 6 insurrectionists, ending birthright citizenship and exiting the Paris climate agreement.

While some celebrities celebrated Trump’s return to the White House, many expressed their concerns for the country’s future.

What To Know

While Colby didn’t mention Trump by name, her posts clearly allude to the current president.

In one video she posted to her Instagram Story and Instagram feed, the American Pickers star encouraged her followers to follow her elsewhere in case her account disappeared. She also tried to motivate viewers to create “outrageous art.”

“Hey everybody, Danielle Colby from American Pickers here. Just wanted to say a few words of encouragement. First of all, should this page disappear, which it could soon, so if this page should disappear, go to @daniellecolbywashere, I’ll also link up to that one too. Otherwise, you can follow my Patreon,” she said at the start of the video, speaking directly to the camera.

“Don’t be down, don’t be discouraged, this is what all of our great punk rock artists, punk rock songs prepared us for. This is the time, this is the day, this is the place, it is now. It is today, so, you know, this is an interesting opportunity for us to create some of the most outrageous art that we most possibly can.

“This is a time for us to make statements, this is a time for us to band together, this is a time for us to check on our friends and family who need it the most.

“Colby also advised against letting “weird little divisions” get in the way of relationships while explaining the importance of boundaries.

She added: “Protect your mental health. If there are people within your stratosphere that are difficult or are toxic for you, stay away, man, stay away, don’t waste your energy on these people. Those people genuinely hate themselves and that’s why they do what they do.”

Colby also reshared various resources, including a video about books on American history, books by queer Palestinian authors and a clip showing women’s self-defense. She also posted an image with the quote: “When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king. The palace becomes a circus.”

The American Pickers star has spoken out against the president previously. On November 6, 2024, she shared a message from activist Janaya Future Khan which reads: “Trump will win the White House. The GOP has control of the Senate. This is gutting yes, but freeing too. We get to make every day over the next four years hell for fascists, misogynists, bigots and liars. This is not the time to shrink. Nor time time to despair.”

What People Are Saying

People have taken to the comments to share their support for Colby and thank her for her video.

“Some of the greatest music, art and cinema came out during the Reagan era. Let’s go hard again against the system! Be an ally and stand with our friends! Get loud!” one person wrote.

“Thank you for sharing kind and wise words! Let’s f*** it up,” said another.

“I totally agree with what you said and feel it too. Lots of love for you and Jeremy,” someone else wrote.

A fourth person added: “Hey lady, be you and do your thing. Let the haters hate. Who we voted for should have nothing to do with our friendships. The division has been bad last 20 years. I don’t hate anyone or unfriend anyone for political reasons. Love your show and work! Keep on keeping on!”