At the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2025, Robert De Niro made headlines not only for receiving the honorary Palme d’Or, but for using his acceptance speech to criticize Donald Trump.
The 87-year-old actor arrived on the red carpet with his 45-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, and daughter Helen Grace. Leonardo DiCaprio presented the award, marking a full-circle moment from De Niro’s time as Jury President in 2011.
During his speech, De Niro condemned Trump’s political actions, calling him a “philistine president” and slamming his appointment as chair of the Kennedy Center. He criticized Trump’s 100% film tariff and cuts to arts and education funding, warning of broader global consequences.
“We can’t just sit back and watch,” De Niro urged. “It’s time to act — with passion, not violence — and to vote.”
The speech drew mixed reactions online. Some praised his courage and clarity, while others called him out of touch. Nonetheless, De Niro’s message sparked a widespread conversation about democracy, the arts, and civic responsibility.