Robert De Niro slams Trump at Cannes

At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, American actor Robert De Niro gives a strong speech against the U.S. President Donald Trump while accepting a lifetime achievement award.

De Niro, now 81, called Trump a “philistine president” at the Cannes 2025 opening ceremony held on Tuesday, adding that democracy in the U.S. is under threat.

He told the crowd that art is powerful because it brings people together, speaks the truth, and supports diversity—things autocratic leaders fear.

The actor criticized Trump for cutting support to the arts and taking control of major cultural institutions.

De Niro also spoke out against Trump’s taxes on foreign films, saying creativity shouldn’t be priced or restricted.

He warned that the problem isn’t just in the U.S., but worldwide, and said people need to act, not just watch like it’s a movie.

The actor urged people to stand up for freedom through peaceful protest and voting. 

The 78th edition of the Festival de Cannes is underway and wraps up on May 24, 2025.