Robert De Niro delivered a scathing critique of President Trump during his acceptance speech at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, where he was honored with the prestigious Palme d’Or lifetime achievement award. The veteran actor did not hold back, referring to Trump as “America’s philistine president” and urging the public to stand up in defense of the arts and democracy.
Speaking to a global audience, De Niro expressed deep concern about the direction he believes the country is heading under Trump’s leadership. “In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted, and that affects all of us,” he said. “That affects all of us here because the arts are democratic. Art is inclusive, it brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity.”
He continued by emphasizing that because art challenges power and speaks to truth, it often becomes a target. “That’s why art is a threat. That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists,” De Niro said, receiving a wave of applause from the audience.
The actor went on to criticize Trump for installing himself as the chairman of the Kennedy Center and for his administration’s move to dramatically reduce support for cultural programs. “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions. He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education,” De Niro said.
He also blasted Trump’s recent move to propose a 100 percent tariff on all films made outside the United States a decision that has sparked alarm across the global film industry. “Let that sink in for a minute,” De Niro said. “You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it.”
The moment marked one of the sharpest political rebukes of Trump from an international stage, adding to a growing chorus of artists and performers who say they fear his actions threaten both American culture and global artistic exchange.