Author and life-fulfillment expert Samantha Ettus was nearly roughed up by Steve Bannon’s security after she told the former White House adviser, “I hope you get what you deserve!” during an elevator ride at a New York hotel. Ettus spotted Bannon in the lobby of the Regency Hotel — surrounded by four burly bodyguards — and followed him into the elevator.

She told Page Six, “Bannon got into the elevator ahead of me with the bodyguards, then I got in. His security team were all big guys, wearing exactly the same outfit, and they were very tense — they didn’t look happy that I was in the elevator with them, even though I am 5 foot 2 inches and not threatening-looking at all.”

Ettus decided to speak as Bannon and his bouncers exited the elevator on the 12th floor. She explained, “I couldn’t resist saying, ‘I hope you get what you deserve.’ Bannon turned around, then one of his bodyguards made a motion like he was going to pounce on me. He had both hands out, like he was going to come at me and grab me, then another Bannon bodyguard held him back.”

Stunned, Ettus rode back down in the elevator to the lobby. She said of her decision to confront Bannon: “I think he has steered our country in a bad direction — he doesn’t represent the values of America. You don’t get many chances to confront someone like that. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t use my voice and say something.” She said of his overzealous guard, “It was like something out of a bad movie. The security guard’s reaction shocked me, because I chose my words carefully.”

A rep for Bannon didn’t comment.