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Robert De Niro has hit out at Donald Trump once again, saying he is a “bully” that needs to be stood up to.
Speaking at the Cannes film festival after accepting an honorary Palme d’Or, the veteran actor – and long-time vocal critic of the President – told The Guardian that being overseas to accept the award felt like a brief reprieve from the political upheaval of the US.
“We have to stop what’s going on, it’s insane,” he said. “We can’t have apathy and silence. You have to speak up and risk being harassed.” The Casino actor has been a vocal critic of Trump since 2016, and used his acceptance speech to take aim at “America’s Philistine president”.
The two-time Oscar winner called for people to act “without violence, but with great passion and determination”, urging film fans and the audience to organise, protest, vote, and “show our strength” during the film festival.
Robert De Niro blasted Donald Trump last night at the Cannes Film Festival: “We are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted. It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organize, to protest. And when there are elections, of course, to vote” pic.twitter.com/6u1PgYh4VM
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) May 15, 2025
He also branded Trump “stupid” back in 2023 at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival while discussing his character in Killers Of The Flower Moon, prompting Trump himself to hit back at De Niro after the latter criticised him over a teleprompter at the Gotham Awards despite a section of his speech being “cut out”.
“Robert De Niro, whose acting talents have greatly diminished, with his reputation now shot, must even use a teleprompter for his foul and disgusting language, so disrespectful to our Country,” Trump said at the time.
Touching on the risks that come with being one of Trump’s most vocal critics, he was asked if he ever worried about his safety. “Yeah, you always think about it, of course,” he answered.
“But I’m too old for all that. The man is a bully and you can’t let bullies win. If a bully comes for your lunch money on Monday, he’s going to ask for more on Tuesday. You have to stand up. And I wouldn’t want to look at myself if I didn’t.
Robert De Niro with Quentin Tarantino and Leonardo DiCaprio photographed by JR at the 78th Cannes Film Festival
pic.twitter.com/vMJXHJ4A6r
— Lost In Film (@LostInFilm) May 14, 2025
“I look at people like [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio. I see him sitting by when they [Trump and JD Vance] beat up Zelenskyy, after all the times that he has defended Ukraine in the past. And I think, what the hell does he tell his kids about that? It won’t be forgotten. Historically, this will not be forgotten.”
Earlier this month, Trump shared a bombshell announcement when he declared that he will be authorising 100 per cent tariffs on films made outside of the United States in an attempt to “save” the “dying” film industry in the US.
In light of these proposed tariffs, he said he suspected most in the industry shared his views on Trump. “So I don’t think it’s true that the industry isn’t behind me,” he explained. “But they’re part of a big business. They have to worry about the wrath of Trump and make their decisions on that basis.
“Do I succumb or do I say no? There are some universities that have already said no. There are some legal firms that have said no. And that’s important because it inspires other people. It gives people strength and inspires them to fight.”
Following Trump’s declaration of 100 per cent tariffs, he seemingly softened his approach on the matter, telling press: “I’m not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry. So we’re going to meet with the industry. I want to make sure they’re happy with it because we’re all about jobs.”
Additionally, Kush Desai, White House said: “No final decision on foreign film tariffs have been made. The Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.”
More recently, The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) issued a statement defending Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen after Trump attacked them on social media.
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