At the Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro grabbed headlines not just for picking up the honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement, but for throwing some serious shade at Donald Trump.
The famous actor didn’t hold back during his speech, taking a sharp jab at Trump and his politics.
Stepped Out with His 45-Year-Old Girlfriend
Robert De Niro — widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time — added another accolade to his legendary career on May 13, 2025, receiving an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement at the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival.
At 87, De Niro made a striking entrance on the red carpet alongside his 45-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. The couple was also joined by his daughter, Helen Grace, as they celebrated the milestone together.
The honor was presented by longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio — a fitting full-circle moment, given that De Niro previously served as Jury President at the Cannes Festival back in 2011.
But De Niro didn’t let the evening pass without making waves. Known for his bold political stances, the Deer Hunter star used his acceptance speech to deliver a pointed and powerful message that stunned the audience and stirred headlines — once again proving that De Niro doesn’t just take the stage, he commands it.
“America’s Philistine President…”
Robert De Niro didn’t mince words during his acceptance speech at Cannes.
“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,” he began, his voice sharp with urgency. “That affects all of us here — because the arts are democratic.”
Then came a scathing critique of the U.S. administration. Referring to former President Donald Trump, De Niro said, “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions,” referencing Trump’s role as chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
“We can’t just sit back and watch”
De Niro then turned his attention to Trump’s controversial new policies, including a proposed 100% tariff on foreign films. “He has cut funding to the arts, humanities, and education — and now this,” De Niro said. “Let that sink in for a minute.”
Calling the situation “intolerable,” the Oscar-winning actor reminded the audience that the issue extends far beyond U.S. borders.
“These attacks are unacceptable. And this isn’t just an American problem — it’s a global one,” he said.
De Niro ended with a passionate call to action: “Like a film, we can’t just sit back and watch. We must act — not with violence, but with passion and purpose. If you care about liberty, now is the time to organize, to protest, and above all, to vote.”
Mixed Reactions Online
Robert De Niro’s fiery Cannes speech ignited a digital storm, drawing a wide range of reactions across social media platforms.
On YouTube and TikTok, comments swung from admiration to mockery. One user asked, “Who hurt him?” while another praised him as “a man with courage.” A popular comment read, “Powerful, passionate, yet calm speech. The man is right — it’s a call to arms to protect education and the arts, the very things Trump and his global allies fear most.”
Another user echoed that sentiment: “An actual American who cares about America — and the rest of the planet we all live on.”
Facebook users were similarly divided. Some applauded De Niro with comments like, “Very well said. Powerful speech,” and “Very well spoken by Mr. De Niro. We need to take this seriously and fight back.”
But not everyone was on board. Critics called the actor “out of touch” and “insane,” with comments like, “Shame on him,” and “He is a joke.”
In the end, De Niro’s words achieved what many speeches aim for — they got people talking.
