Robert De Niro critiques Trump at Cannes: A call to defend democracy and the arts
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 16, 2025, 18:48 IST
( Image credit : Getty Images, TOIGLOBAL )
At the Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro was honored with the prestigious Palme d'Or. In his acceptance speech, he didn't hold back, labeling Donald Trump a 'philistine president' and calling on audiences to champion democracy and the vital role of the arts. He passionately denounced the proposed cuts to arts funding, underscoring the transformative power of creativity.
Robert De Niro used his Palme d’Or lifetime achievement award acceptance speech at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday to criticize former US President Donald Trump, calling him a “philistine president” and urging action to defend democracy and the arts. De Niro, 81, addressed an audience of entertainment figures, highlighting Trump's policies and urging people to vote and protest peacefully. He spoke against cuts to arts funding and proposed tariffs on foreign films, emphasizing the importance of art and the need to stand up to autocrats.
De Niro received the Palme d’Or lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival in the south of France. He used the opportunity to voice his concerns about the political climate in the United States.
“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,” said De Niro.
He addressed the audience, which included prominent figures in the entertainment industry. De Niro emphasized the role of art in society and its vulnerability to authoritarianism.
“That affects all of us here, because the arts are democratic, art is inclusive and brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity, and that’s why art is a threat,” added De Niro.
De Niro, known for his outspoken criticism of Trump, specifically targeted the former president's policies and actions.
“That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists. America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions (the Kennedy Center). He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education,” he continued.
De Niro also criticized Trump’s reported plan to impose tariffs on movies produced outside the US.
“You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it. Of course, this is unacceptable. All of these attacks are unacceptable,” he said.
De Niro stressed that the issues extend beyond the United States, calling for global action.
“And this isn’t just an American problem, it’s a global one. Unlike a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now,” said De Niro.
De Niro concluded his speech with a call to action, advocating for peaceful resistance and participation in elections.
He ended his speech with a call for people to stand up to Trump “without violence, but with great passion and determination.”
“It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organize, to protest and when there are elections, of course, to vote. Vote,” said De Niro.
“Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
De Niro starred in a campaign ad for former US President Joe Biden in May 2024. He has criticized Trump on multiple previous occasions, including calling him a “clown.”
De Niro received the Palme d’Or lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival in the south of France. He used the opportunity to voice his concerns about the political climate in the United States.
“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,” said De Niro.
He addressed the audience, which included prominent figures in the entertainment industry. De Niro emphasized the role of art in society and its vulnerability to authoritarianism.
“That affects all of us here, because the arts are democratic, art is inclusive and brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity, and that’s why art is a threat,” added De Niro.
De Niro, known for his outspoken criticism of Trump, specifically targeted the former president's policies and actions.
“That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists. America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions (the Kennedy Center). He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education,” he continued.
De Niro also criticized Trump’s reported plan to impose tariffs on movies produced outside the US.
“You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it. Of course, this is unacceptable. All of these attacks are unacceptable,” he said.
De Niro stressed that the issues extend beyond the United States, calling for global action.
“And this isn’t just an American problem, it’s a global one. Unlike a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now,” said De Niro.
De Niro concluded his speech with a call to action, advocating for peaceful resistance and participation in elections.
He ended his speech with a call for people to stand up to Trump “without violence, but with great passion and determination.”
“It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organize, to protest and when there are elections, of course, to vote. Vote,” said De Niro.
“Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
De Niro starred in a campaign ad for former US President Joe Biden in May 2024. He has criticized Trump on multiple previous occasions, including calling him a “clown.”