At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro stole the spotlight — not just for receiving the honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement, but for delivering a fierce and pointed critique of Donald Trump.
The iconic actor, known for his no-holds-barred approach, wasted no time during his speech, throwing serious shade at the former president and his controversial politics.
At 87, De Niro proved why he’s often hailed as one of the greatest actors of all time. The legendary actor, director, and producer was celebrated on May 13, 2025, with the prestigious honorary Palme d’Or during the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival. But true to form, he didn’t just accept the honor in silence. Instead, he seized the moment to send a message that had the audience buzzing.
On the red carpet, De Niro made a stylish entrance with his 45-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. Also present was his daughter, Helen Grace, who joined the couple for this unforgettable milestone event.
The moment was nothing short of cinematic at the Cannes Film Festival when Leonardo DiCaprio, a long-time collaborator of De Niro, presented him with the honorary Palme d’Or. This marked a full-circle moment, as De Niro himself had served as Jury President at the prestigious festival 14 years prior, in 2011.
But it was his acceptance speech that truly captured the world’s attention. Known for his unapologetic stance against former President Donald Trump, De Niro didn’t mince words. Addressing the current political turmoil in the U.S., he began with a blunt statement:
“In my country, we are fighting like [expletive] for the democracy we once took for granted.” He then drew a direct link between the state of American politics and the world of the arts, emphasizing, “That affects all of us here because the arts are democratic.”
With the audience hanging on every word, De Niro turned his criticism squarely on President Trump, particularly his controversial role in cultural institutions. “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions,” he said, referencing Trump’s appointment as chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The actor didn’t stop there, calling out Trump’s economic policies, specifically his new tariffs. “He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities, and education, and now he has announced a 100 percent tariff on films that are produced outside the U.S.,” De Niro said, letting the gravity of his words settle. “Let that sink in for a minute.”
For De Niro, these were not just political issues but a broader global concern. “All these attacks are unacceptable. And this isn’t just an American problem, it’s a global one,” he declared.
He concluded with an impassioned rallying cry for action: “Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now—without violence but with great passion and determination. It’s time for anyone who cares about liberty to organise, to protest, and when there are elections, of course, to vote.”
Mixed Reactions to De Niro’s Fiery Cannes Speech
Robert De Niro’s passionate speech at the Cannes Film Festival ignited a firestorm online, sparking both admiration and controversy. On platforms like YouTube and TikTok, reactions ranged from praise to skepticism, with some calling him a man of courage, while others questioned his remarks.
One commenter on TikTok wrote, “Powerful, passionate, yet calm speech. The man is right. It is a call to arms to protect education and the arts, all the things Trump and his international ‘friends’ are frightened of.” Another added, “An actual American, who cares about America and the rest of the planet that we all reside on!”
However, not everyone was in agreement. Some users on social media expressed frustration, with one remarking, “Who hurt him?” and another stating, “Shame on him.” On Facebook, the debate raged on with a mix of support and criticism. “Very well said. Powerful speech,” cheered one supporter, while another slammed De Niro, calling him “out of touch completely.” Some fans fired back with, “Very well spoken by Mr. De Niro. We need to take this seriously and fight back,” while others dismissed him, saying, “He is a joke.”
What did you think of De Niro’s fiery speech? Was he brave for speaking out — or did he go too far? Sound off in the comments.