Trump and Robert De Niro are vying for the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival opening gala
Ranting Actor Robert De Niro Slams Trump at Cannes
At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, a firebrand Robert De Niro didn't hold back, slamming President Donald Trump during his acceptance speech for the honorary Palme d'Or. The 81-year-old actor turned the stage into a presidential roaster, saying, "We're battling with all our might for the democracy we once took for granted. This impacts every one of us because art is democratic."
Earlier in the ceremony, noted environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio paid tribute to De Niro, calling him the role model we've all aspired to emulate. DiCaprio praised De Niro, stating, "He doesn't often speak, but when he does, it carries weight. Whether it's on his friends, family, democracy, or art, he's always present."
De Niro didn't mince words, firing shots at the President. "Art embraces diversity, and therefore, it's a threat to autocrats and fascists. America's 'philistine' president has taken it upon himself to lead one of our most significant cultural institutions. He's cut funding and support for the arts, humanities, and education," the legend said.
De Niro wished to make it crystal clear that Trump's recent proposal to impose a 100% tariff on films produced exterior to the USA was completely unreasonable. "You can't put a price on creativity, but apparently, you can place a tariff on it. That's just appalling," he asserted.
The actor underscored the importance of standing up against those attempting to undermine democracy and artistic freedoms. "All of these attacks are indefensible—it's not exclusive to America. It's a global issue. Like in a movie, we can't just sit idly by. We need to act, and we need to do so promptly, peacefully, but with relentless zeal and determination. It's about time for everyone who cherishes freedom to unite, demonstrate, and, of course, vote when there's an election."
The audience responded with a prolonged standing ovation following DiCaprio's remarks, capturing the sentiment of many. Buoyed by the reception, clips of De Niro's speech were widely shared on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, amplifying his message worldwide. The speech at Cannes wasn't just about celebrating cinematic triumph but also a bold expression of political discontent reflecting broader cultural and political tensions in the US.
- Robert De Niro's acceptance speech at the Cannes Film Festival, where he criticized President Donald Trump, address various aspects of 'entertainment', 'politics', and 'policy-and-legislation'.
- The actor's statement also highlighted the importance of 'artistic freedoms' in challenging autocrats and fascists, making a connection between the 'movies-and-tv' industry and the broader political climate.
- The speech, widely shared on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, served not only as a celebration of cinematic triumph but also as a powerful statement of 'general-news' and political discontent from one of Hollywood's most renowned figures, Leonardo DiCaprio's role model.
