Here's a prediction you don't hear every day: a former president fleeing the country on a private jet to avoid legal trouble. But that's exactly what Michael Fanone, the former District of Columbia Metro police officer who suffered a heart attack during the January 6 Capitol riot, thinks might happen to Donald Trump.
In a recent Substack interview, Fanone laid out his theory about Trump's political endgame. The officer, who literally took a beating defending the Capitol and later wrote about it in his book "Hold the Line: The Insurrection and One Cop's Battle for America's Soul," isn't mincing words about what he sees coming.
Fanone's prediction hinges on Democrats retaking the House in 2026. If that happens, he believes Trump will bail on America entirely rather than face potential investigations and impeachment proceedings. His destination of choice? Saudi Arabia, courtesy of what Fanone colorfully describes as "that Qatari jet."
"I foresee that he'll be hopping on that Qatari jet to Saudi Arabia and living out the remainder of his days," Fanone said.
The former officer didn't stop there. He argued that Trump's real motivation for running for president was fundamentally about two things: making money and staying out of prison. According to Fanone, Trump's policies on immigration, tariffs, and taxes have actually hurt his own supporters, creating a political mess that could catch up with him.
"I kind of see Donald Trump up there in years who is cornered. The likelihood if there are free and fair elections in 2026 of Donald Trump not being impeached, or at least, you know, investigated and having his ad administration investigated into oblivion are slim to none," Fanone added during the interaction.
The interview touched on several other topics, including Fanone's departure from CNN and his broader views on the Trump administration.
The Bigger Picture
Whether or not Fanone's prediction comes true, the speculation itself tells you something about how polarized American politics has become. The idea of a former president fleeing the country to dodge legal consequences would be completely unprecedented in U.S. history.
If Democrats do flip the House in 2026, it could trigger significant policy changes across multiple sectors of the economy. And if investigations into Trump's administration ramp up as Fanone predicts, the political circus isn't ending anytime soon—it's just changing venues.
