By Trendsetter Tribune 
WASHINGTON — In one of her most blistering public statements to date, former National Security Advisor Susan Rice issued a “stern warning” on Friday, February 20, 2026, to American corporations that she claims have “taken a knee” to the 47th President’s agenda. Speaking during a televised segment on MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Rice warned that a future Democratic administration would seek “accountability” for businesses perceived as enabling authoritarianism.
Rice’s remarks follow a series of high-profile corporate pivots toward the White House as CEOs navigate the administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs and federal spending shifts.
The “Accountability” Warning
Rice, who has become a leading voice in the “Resistance” movement within the Democratic Party, did not mince words when discussing the political consequences for the private sector.
- The Core Message: “If Democrats come back, it’s not forgive and forget. There will be accountability. It’s not going to end well for them,” Rice stated.
- The “Authoritarian” Charge: She accused several major industries—particularly in the tech and manufacturing sectors—of “collaborating” with the administration’s “widening power grab” in exchange for regulatory favors or tax breaks.
- The “Knee” Metaphor: Rice’s use of the phrase “took a knee” was a direct reference to corporations that have recently softened their previous criticisms of the President or hired administration-linked lobbyists to secure federal contracts.
Context: The Corporate Shift
Rice’s frustration reflects a broader trend in early 2026, where the business community has largely moved from “wait-and-see” to “active cooperation” with the White House:
| Industry Sector | Recent Action | Rice’s Critique |
| Tech / AI | Major firms have signed onto the “National AI Defense Shield” initiative. | Claims they are giving the government “unprecedented surveillance tools.” |
| Retail / Import | After initial pushback, many retailers have accepted the 10% stop-gap tariff in exchange for “logistics deregulation.” | Argues they are passing costs to consumers while “funding a trade war.” |
| Aviation | Boeing and other contractors have moved forward with the $140M “Daedalus” deportation fleet. | Labels the cooperation as “enabling gestapo-like tactics” at the border. |
Democratic Response: A “Moral Blacklist”?
While Rice does not currently hold an official position in the Democratic Party leadership, her comments are being viewed as a signal of the party’s platform for the 2026 Midterms and the 2028 Presidential race.
- The “Authoritarian Tax”: Some progressive lawmakers have already floated the idea of a “windfall profit tax” or clawback of subsidies for companies that “participate in the erosion of democratic norms.”
- Investigation Threats: Democratic staffers on the House Oversight Committee have reportedly begun compiling a list of “corporate collaborators” for potential hearings should the party regain the majority.
GOP and Corporate Reaction
The administration and its allies quickly dismissed Rice’s comments as “un-American” and “threatening.”
“Susan Rice is literally threatening American businesses with government retaliation for the crime of following the law and working with the duly elected President. It’s a disgraceful, authoritarian-style threat from the very people who claim to be ‘saving’ democracy.” — White House Press Statement, Feb 20, 2026
For their part, major business groups like the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have remained silent on the specific warning, though several lobbyists noted that Rice’s rhetoric makes it “nearly impossible” for corporations to maintain the bipartisan neutrality they once favored.
🚨 NEW:
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) February 20, 2026
Susan Rice just issued a blunt warning to corporations that “took a knee to Trump.”
“If Democrats come back, it’s not forgive and forget.
There will be accountability.
It’s not going to end well for them.”
Message sent: Enabling authoritarianism has consequences. pic.twitter.com/UWuEwzewt6