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US - UK Entertainment 19/05/2025 21:56

Robert De Niro Slams Trump at Cannes: “This Is Not Just America’s Problem”

While accepting an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, veteran actor Robert De Niro delivered a blistering critique of Donald Trump’s presidency, calling for global action against authoritarianism and the erosion of democracy.
The 81-year-old actor Robert De Niro, known for his uncompromising political stance and legendary film career, reignited his public criticism of Donald Trump during the opening night of the 78th Cannes Film Festival in France. De Niro, who has previously voiced strong opposition to Trump, took the stage to accept an honorary Palme d’Or, using the platform to denounce the former U.S. president's continued influence.
Addressing the audience at the Grand Lumière Theatre, De Niro expressed deep concern about the state of democracy in the United States following Trump’s re-election, stating that the implications go far beyond national borders.

“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,” he said. “That affects all of us here, because art is the crucible that brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity. That’s why art is a threat.”

Applause erupted as De Niro continued his impassioned address, linking creative expression with the global fight against autocracy and censorship.

“That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists. America’s philistine president ha[s] had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions [the Kennedy Center]. He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education.”

De Niro further condemned Trump’s recent announcement to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-made films, a move that has sparked backlash in creative industries worldwide.

“You can’t put a price on creativity,” said De Niro, “but apparently you can put a tariff on it. Of course, this is unacceptable. All of these attacks are unacceptable. And this isn’t just an American problem, it’s a global one. Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now.”

Concluding with a powerful call to action, De Niro urged attendees and audiences around the world to mobilize against political suppression—peacefully but decisively.

“It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organise,” he said, “to protest, and when there are elections, vote. Vote. Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”

Leonardo DiCaprio, De Niro’s longtime friend and co-star, presented the award, setting the stage for the premiere of the French comedy Partir Un Jour. De Niro, who once served as jury president in 2011, is no stranger to the Croisette, with Cannes premieres of classics like Mean Streets (1973) and Once Upon a Time in America (1984).
The 2025 edition of Cannes has been marked by heightened engagement with real-world controversies. On the first day, French actor Gérard Depardieu was convicted on sexual assault charges, drawing widespread attention and debate.
During a jury press conference, this year’s jury president Juliette Binoche responded to questions about Depardieu, a former co-star, saying:

“He’s a man who lost his aura owing to facts that occurred and were looked at by a court,” she said. “The star of a film is a king for me. [But] what is sacred is when you create, when you act, and he is no longer sacred … Now the power lies elsewhere.”

Additional flashpoints include Trump’s controversial film tariff policy and a newly enforced ban on nude or oversized gowns on the red carpet. These issues, among others, shaped the day’s discourse.
Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, freelance workers under the Sous les écrans la dèche union collective staged a protest at the opening ceremony. The workers—including projectionists and drivers—are calling for renewed negotiations on unemployment insurance reforms to safeguard their rights and income.
Biographical Context:
  • Robert De Niro: A two-time Academy Award winner, De Niro has been a dominant force in American cinema for over five decades. Known for films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Irishman, he is equally renowned for his outspoken political views, particularly his opposition to Donald Trump.
  • Donald Trump: The 45th and 47th president of the United States, Trump remains a polarizing figure in global politics. His policies, including cultural defunding and protectionist trade measures, have drawn widespread criticism in both domestic and international circles.
  • Leonardo DiCaprio: An Academy Award-winning actor and environmental activist, DiCaprio has long collaborated with De Niro and shares a strong connection to the film industry’s global platforms like Cannes.
  • Juliette Binoche: A celebrated French actress and this year’s jury president at Cannes, Binoche has been vocal about the intersection of art, justice, and public accountability.

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