At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro stole the spotlight not only for receiving the honorary Palme d’Or but also for taking a bold jab at Donald Trump during his acceptance speech. The 87-year-old actor, accompanied by his 45-year-old girlfriend Tiffany Chen and daughter Helen Grace, used the platform to criticize Trump’s policies.
De Niro called Trump “America’s philistine president” and condemned his actions, including the appointment to head the Kennedy Center and his proposed 100% tariff on foreign films. He emphasized that these issues weren’t just American problems but global ones, urging everyone to act with passion and determination to protect democracy and the arts.
His speech sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising his courage, while others criticized him as out of touch. Regardless, De Niro’s fiery words resonated with many, calling for action to defend education and the arts from Trump’s policies.
