At the opening ceremony of the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Robert De Niro didn't hold back in expressing his views on Donald Trump, branding him "America's philistine president." The actor, while accepting an honorary Palme d'Or, used the platform to voice his concerns about the state of democracy in the United States and the threat he believes Trump poses to the arts and culture.
De Niro, a long-time critic of Trump, declared that "in my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted." He emphasized that the issues in America are not isolated, stating that they "affect all of us here because the arts are democratic." He highlighted the inclusive nature of art, asserting that "art is inclusive. It brings people together... Art looks for truth, art embraces diversity, and that's why art is a threat, that's why we are a threat, to autocrats and fascists.”
The actor also criticized Trump's policies, specifically mentioning the proposed 100% tariff on films produced outside of the U.S. De Niro scoffed at the idea, saying, "You can't put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it." He deemed these attacks "unacceptable" and stressed that this is not just an American problem but a global one.
De Niro called for action, urging the audience to stand up for liberty. "Like a film, we can't just all sit back and watch. We have to act now," he stated, advocating for action "without violence, but with great passion and determination." He encouraged everyone who values liberty to organize, protest, and, most importantly, vote.
The Hollywood legend received his honorary Palme d'Or from Leonardo DiCaprio, a frequent collaborator of Martin Scorsese, whom De Niro had recommended to the director. DiCaprio praised De Niro as "the archetype" actor and lauded him for "fighting for our democracy." The presentation was met with a standing ovation, underscoring the film community's support for De Niro's message.
Other members of the film community also weighed in on Trump's policies. Actress Juliette Binoche, a member of the jury, responded to Trump's proposed tariffs by saying, "We can see that he's fighting and trying in many different ways to save America and save his ass.” Fellow juror Jeremy Strong alluded to his Oscar-nominated role in the Trump-related film "The Apprentice," stating, "Truth is under assault."
De Niro's outspoken criticism of Trump is not new. He has previously referred to the former president as a "jerk," a "clown," a "monster," and a "tyrant." However, he has also expressed weariness of name-calling, emphasizing the need to prevent Trump from holding office again. His political stance has previously caused controversy, leading to the withdrawal of an award from the National Association of Broadcasters' Leadership Foundation after a fiery speech outside Trump's New York hush money trial.
