Empire creator Lee Daniels has offered a striking criticism of Donald Trump—without even mentioning his name.
“I'm not afraid of anything,” Daniels began. “I've dodged bullets, real bullets before, but now I'm afraid because these mother f***ers are coming for us, y’all,” Daniels said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Empire was honoured during the Human Rights Campaign Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Daniels accepted the HRC Equality Award alongside Ilene Chaiken, Jussie Smollett, Gabourey Sidibe, Serayah, Kaitlin Doubleday and Ta’Rhonda Jones.
During his speech, Daniels also encouraged the audience to "do the right thing" by voting for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
“He's taking over. He’s coming in to take us down, y'all, and this is serious business," he said. "Let's do the right thing and make sure Clinton is in that f***ing office and taking care of us."
“I don't think you realize how much they're coming for us,” Daniels added. “And this is not a joke. I've watched everyone make light of what is going on," he continued.
"They are coming for every one of you. White people are not excluded. They're coming for us.”
HRC President Chad Griffin has applauded Empire for “undeniably” changing hearts and minds in the fight for LGBT equality.
“This groundbreaking series has especially helped to raise the visibility of LGBT people of color, whose stories have been underrepresented in the media,” Griffin previously said in a statement. “We are proud to honor Empire at this year’s HRC Los Angeles Gala Dinner for the profound difference it has made in the lives of so many across America.”
