Robert De Niro unleashes 2 disrespectful words about Trump, causing a stir at Cannes Film Festival

Robert De Niro made international headlines at the 78th Cannes Film Festival—not just for receiving the prestigious honorary Palme d’Or, but for delivering a fiery political speech that ignited debate both on and off the red carpet.

At 87, the legendary actor, director, and producer was honored for his lifetime achievements. Accompanied by his girlfriend Tiffany Chen and daughter Helen Grace, De Niro accepted the award from Leonardo DiCaprio, marking a full-circle moment more than a decade after he served as Jury President at the same festival.

But it wasn’t just a celebration. De Niro used the global stage to deliver a passionate critique of former President Donald Trump without initially naming him, calling him a “philistine president” and blasting his recent appointment as chair of the Kennedy Center. He warned that such political interference in the arts is not just troubling—it’s dangerous.

“In my country, we are fighting like [expletive] for the democracy we once took for granted,” De Niro said. He then condemned Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign films and framed it as part of a broader attack on culture and education. “This isn’t just an American problem,” he warned, “it’s a global one.”

His message was loud and clear: the arts must remain a democratic space, and now is the time to resist. “We have to act—peacefully, but passionately. Organize, protest, and above all, vote.”

The reaction was immediate. Supporters called it a brave, stirring defense of free speech and the arts, with many praising De Niro as “a real American” using his voice for good. Critics, however, labeled him “out of touch” and “divisive.”

Whether hailed as hero or heckler, De Niro made one thing clear: silence is not an option. And once again, the world is watching.