Robert De Niro Slams Donald Trump in Cannes Acceptance Speech

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Robert De Niro Slams Donald Trump in Cannes Acceptance Speech

 

In a fiery speech that merged cinematic celebration with political critique, Robert De Niro used his moment of honor at the Cannes Film Festival to denounce former President Donald Trump, labeling him a "philistine" and urging global resistance to his policies.

 

The legendary 81-year-old actor, known for his intense performances in films such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the prestigious event. The award was presented at the Grand Theatre Lumière by his longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio, with fellow Hollywood heavyweights Halle Berry, Juliette Binoche, and Quentin Tarantino sharing the stage.

Look at this little Trump Deranged psychopath Robert De Niro crying about President Trump to a bunch of weirdo millionaires at the Cannes film festival 🤣 pic.twitter.com/OjTVojqcWC

— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) May 14, 2025

 

While the festival traditionally emphasizes film over politics, De Niro’s speech turned sharply critical when he addressed Trump’s recent decision to impose steep tariffs on foreign films. “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of America’s premier cultural institutions. He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education. And now he announced a 100 per cent tariff on films made outside the United States,” De Niro said, receiving both gasps and applause from the crowd.

 

He continued, “You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently, you can put a tariff on it.” The actor used the platform to call on artists and citizens alike to resist what he sees as a dangerous attack on artistic freedom and global collaboration. “Everyone who cares about liberty” must protest against Trump, he urged.

 

The context for De Niro’s remarks lies in Trump’s controversial announcement that all movies produced outside the United States would now be subjected to a 100 percent tariff. Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Hollywood, defended the move by saying the American film industry was being undercut by overseas incentives. “We want movies made in America again!” Trump declared on social media, claiming that Hollywood was suffering a “very fast death.”

 

Though Cannes organizers have repeatedly emphasized their desire to keep the focus on cinema rather than politics, De Niro’s remarks underscored how deeply interconnected art and political policy can be. For De Niro, the moment was not just about recognition of his artistic legacy, but a call to arms for the cultural world to stand up against what he described as an administration indifferent—or even hostile—to the value of art.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-05-16

 

 

[JonnyF]

So sad. He really has descended into the mad old Grandpa waving his shotgun at the neighbours.

 

Let's all try to remember him for the great actor he once was.  

[MalcolmB]

“Art looks for truth” he claims.

All of his movies are fictional.

Better ways to spend taxpayers dollars on than propping up actors.

[Hanaguma]

Make-believe tough guy and high school dropout lectures us on global economics.

 

Nah.

 

He is a great actor and talent, but he needs to stick to his lane. 

[JonnyF]

The irony is that Trump is trying to give a boost to the American film industry, which will help young American actors like De Niro was 65 years ago.

 

However, like most Liberal elitists, he is more than happy to pull up the ladder once he has ascended it. 

 

Silly old man. 

[amykat]

What a bunch of arrogant fools.  I wonder where all of you got your doctorates in Economics and Political Science?  Stay in his lane???  Ok stay in your soi.

[impulse]

3 words...

 

Rent Free Space. 

 

I wonder if AN will ban RFS like they did <removed>?

 

[spidermike007]

He is a courageous man who speaks truth to power, and neither Trump, nor his devotees can stand that truth. I admire him for that. Someone needs to call the goon out on his reckless policies and callous hatred and constant verbal venom. Trump is a black hearted chump. 

 

 

[spidermike007]

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

The irony is that Trump is trying to give a boost to the American film industry, which will help young American actors like De Niro was 65 years ago.

 

However, like most Liberal elitists, he is more than happy to pull up the ladder once he has ascended it. 

 

Silly old man. 

A totally ridiculous post. Just like with his highly ignorant tariffs, taxing films made overseas will not help the US industry. Trump does not get it. Why are films being made overseas? Why are products being made overseas? Because the US costs and inflation are out of control. He has no understanding of globalization. He is just not smart enough and he is being very poorly advised. 

 

DeNiro continues to do very well, and gets as many projects as he can handle. 

[JonnyF]

15 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

A totally ridiculous post. Just like with his highly ignorant tariffs, taxing films made overseas will not help the US industry. Trump does not get it. Why are films being made overseas? Why are products being made overseas? Because the US costs and inflation are out of control. He has no understanding of globalization. He is just not smart enough and he is being very poorly advised. 

 

They are being made overseas because they are cheaper. That will no longer be the case. More films will be made in the US, benefitting the US film industry. 

 

15 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

DeNiro continues to do very well, and gets as many projects as he can handle. 

 

Hardly.

 

https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/robert-de-niro-alto-knights-box-office-flop-1236345946/

 

[KhunLA]

Stop embarrassing yourself, and please ... retire quietly 🙄

[riclag]

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

So sad. He really has descended into the mad old Grandpa waving his shotgun at the neighbours.

 

Let's all try to remember him for the great actor he once was.  

He’s quite the actor!

The Epitome of leftist Hollywood !

[Magictoad]

RDN is an effing w@nqer. And should stick to acting bad roles, and fade away.

[Magictoad]

25 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

A totally ridiculous post. Just like with his highly ignorant tariffs, taxing films made overseas will not help the US industry. Trump does not get it. Why are films being made overseas? Why are products being made overseas? Because the US costs and inflation are out of control. He has no understanding of globalization. He is just not smart enough and he is being very poorly advised. 

 

DeNiro continues to do very well, and gets as many projects as he can handle. 

He's too weak minded to remember scripts. He's a Biden like figure truth be told.

[renaissanc]

It sounds like he's become an angry old man with Trump Derangement Syndrome.

[renaissanc]

32 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

A totally ridiculous post. Just like with his highly ignorant tariffs, taxing films made overseas will not help the US industry. Trump does not get it. Why are films being made overseas? Why are products being made overseas? Because the US costs and inflation are out of control. He has no understanding of globalization. He is just not smart enough and he is being very poorly advised. 

 

DeNiro continues to do very well, and gets as many projects as he can handle. 

If you think you could do the job of President of the USA better, apply for citizenship and take it from there. By the time you make it, though, the concept of globalisation will be so dead and buried that you'll only find dust.

[jippytum]

 I wish these actors would just collect their awards and leave the stage.

Who gives a flying *uck about their political opinions. 

 

[nglodnig]

2 minutes ago, renaissanc said:

f you think you could do the job of President of the USA better, apply for citizenship and take it from there.

Naturalized citzens cannot become US Presidents - ask Arnie

[Harrisfan]

5 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

“Art looks for truth” he claims.

All of his movies are fictional.

Better ways to spend taxpayers dollars on than propping up actors.

His best films were last century

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, jippytum said:

 I wish these actors would just collect their awards and leave the stage.

 

Agree.

 

2 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Who gives a flying *uck about their political opinions. 

 

 

The other members of the Liberal Elite Wokerati in attendance. It's a massive echo chamber. When a muppet is surrounded by hundreds of other muppets doing the seal clap, it's not so obvious that the muppetry is at peak levels. 

[kimothai]

More lefty tears and nobody to care 

[riclag]

28 minutes ago, renaissanc said:

It sounds like he's become an angry old man with Trump Derangement Syndrome.

If ever there was a graphic dictionary with pictures , his face would be next to that Syndrome!

[Harrisfan]

Overpaid gimps

[Thingamabob]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

A totally ridiculous post. Just like with his highly ignorant tariffs, taxing films made overseas will not help the US industry. Trump does not get it. Why are films being made overseas? Why are products being made overseas? Because the US costs and inflation are out of control. He has no understanding of globalization. He is just not smart enough and he is being very poorly advised. 

 

DeNiro continues to do very well, and gets as many projects as he can handle. 

It was an interesting post in my opinion.

[Quentin Zen]

Anti-Acceptance Speech Act of 2025. 45.392.28,20.   Citizenship immediately renounced, shipped to Canada.  Overstay penalty of 500 baht!!!!   House seized, money sent to the farangs of Thailand.   

[CG1 Blue]

He's the US version of Gary Lineker. These champagne socialists can't help themselves. They truly believe everybody MUST agree with their opinions. Delusional. 

 

Shame, because his antics are putting me off watching his movies. How can anyone believe in his 'tough guy' characters now he's revealed himself as a wet lettuce leftie. 

[mikeymike100]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

So sad. He really has descended into the mad old Grandpa waving his shotgun at the neighbours.

 

Let's all try to remember him for the great actor he once was.  

Agreed, but that was a long time ago!!

[RuamRudy]

47 minutes ago, jippytum said:

 I wish these actors would just collect their awards and leave the stage.

Who gives a flying *uck about their political opinions. 

 

 

Clearly a lot of puce faced men do, judging by this thread. 

[James105]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

He is a courageous man who speaks truth to power, and neither Trump, nor his devotees can stand that truth. I admire him for that. Someone needs to call the goon out on his reckless policies and callous hatred and constant verbal venom. Trump is a black hearted chump. 

 

Of all the things that take courage I would suggest standing up in front of a bunch of liberal leftist elites to announce that you hate Trump is not one of them. Considering that the split between pro Trump and anti Trump is about 50/50 its unlikely that all Hollywood actors hate Trump, but none have the courage to stand up and state that they support him.   That would take real courage as it would also be a career ending moment.  Literally nobody loses their careers stating they hate Trump as it is the mainstream view amongst the rich liberal elitists.   

[mikeymike100]

It's a real shame that celebrities/actors.actresses, entertainers etc, get into posting, or worse like Deniro telling everyone there thoughts on political figures, it just show how classless they really are.

I remember an interview I saw with Elvis Presley on TV

The specific question that led to Elvis Presley's quote during the June 9, 1972, Madison Square Garden press conference, it was posed by a female reporter and generally described as asking for his opinion on war protesters,  in the context of the Vietnam War. The question prompted his response: "Honey, I'd just as soon keep my own personal views about that to myself. I'm just an entertainer, and I'd rather not say."  PURE CLASS!!