At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro stole the spotlight—and not just for receiving the coveted honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement. The 87-year-old screen legend made headlines by delivering a fiery, no-holds-barred critique of Donald Trump during his powerful acceptance speech, leaving the audience both captivated and stunned.
Known as one of the greatest actors of all time, De Niro didn’t just quietly accept his prestigious honor on May 13, 2025—he made sure his voice was heard loud and clear. The Deer Hunter icon boldly used the moment to take a sharp jab at Trump’s politics, reminding everyone why his influence extends far beyond the silver screen.
Making a striking entrance on the red carpet, De Niro was accompanied by his glamorous 45-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, turning heads with their stylish presence. Adding a heartfelt family touch to the night, his daughter Helen Grace also joined the couple, making this milestone event truly unforgettable.
The award was presented by none other than Leonardo DiCaprio — a truly poetic moment, as De Niro himself had served as Jury President at Cannes 14 years earlier, back in 2011.
But it was during his acceptance speech that the atmosphere truly ignited. Known for his fearless critiques of President Donald Trump, Robert De Niro unleashed a blistering rebuke of the current political climate in America.
Opening with raw intensity, he declared, “In my country, we are fighting like [expletive] for the democracy we once took for granted.” He continued, “That affects all of us here because the arts are democratic.” Turning a sharp spotlight on the U.S. administration, De Niro didn’t hold back on Trump’s recent decisions.
“America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions,” he said, referencing Trump’s controversial role as chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
De Niro also slammed Trump’s latest tariff announcement: “He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities, and education, and now he has announced a 100 percent tariff on films produced outside the US.” Pausing to let the weight of his words settle, he urged the crowd, “Let that sink in for a minute.”
Calling this state of affairs intolerable, De Niro warned of the wider impact: “All these attacks are unacceptable. And this isn’t just an American problem — it’s a global one.”
He closed with a rousing call to arms: “Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now — not with violence, but with great passion and determination. It’s time for anyone who cares about liberty to organize, to protest, and when there are elections, of course, to vote.”
Mixed Reactions Ignite After De Niro’s Fiery Cannes Speech
Robert De Niro’s bold words at Cannes quickly ignited a whirlwind of reactions online. On platforms like YouTube and TikTok, viewers expressed a wide spectrum of emotions — from admiration to outright skepticism. Comments ranged from biting jabs like, “Who hurt him?” to heartfelt praise: “A man with courage.” One commenter summed it up well:
“Powerful, passionate, yet calm speech. The man is right. It’s a call to arms to protect education and the arts — everything Trump and his international allies fear.”
Another added:
“An actual American, who cares about America and the rest of the planet that we all call home!”
Facebook buzzed with equally divided opinions. Supporters applauded the actor’s courage with messages like, “Very well said. Powerful speech,” and “We need to take this seriously and fight back.” But critics didn’t hold back either, firing back with remarks such as, “Shame on him,” and “This guy is insane. Completely out of touch.”
So, what do you think? Was De Niro’s outspoken speech a brave stand for what he believes in, or did he cross the line? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!
