Hollywood actor Robert De Niro has spent years positioning himself as one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken celebrity critics, but his latest comments may rank among his most dramatic yet.
Speaking at a left-wing political event in New York City on June 14, De Niro declared that he can no longer say he loves America while Trump occupies the White House, comparing patriotic Americans who support the country under Trump’s leadership to victims who remain loyal to an abusive spouse.
The remarks came during an event called “Rise Up, Sing Out,” a gathering widely viewed as a counter-programming effort to President Trump’s highly publicized Freedom 250 celebration at the White House. That event, which commemorated America’s 250th anniversary, featured patriotic festivities and even a UFC showcase that drew widespread attention from sports fans and supporters of the administration.
Rather than celebrating the nation’s milestone birthday, however, De Niro used the stage to deliver another blistering political speech attacking both President Trump and the country he leads.
The Oscar-winning actor took issue with language contained in a public letter defending late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after controversy surrounding comments Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Specifically, De Niro objected to a line stating, “We love our country regardless of political affiliation.”
That sentiment apparently struck a nerve.
“I hate to say it,” De Niro told the crowd, “but loving our country is starting to sound like an abused spouse saying they love their abuser.”
The statement immediately drew criticism from conservatives who pointed out the irony of comparing support for the United States to domestic abuse while speaking freely at a political event in one of the world’s most prosperous and free nations.
De Niro continued his speech by attacking American foreign policy and claiming he could not love a country that participates in military conflicts he opposes.
“I can’t love a country that starts stupid and inhumane wars,” he said, while blaming the United States for widespread suffering around the globe.
The actor then pivoted to healthcare and economics before making one of his most controversial claims of the evening—attempting to link President Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The accusation raised eyebrows given that publicly available records have shown Trump distanced himself from Epstein years before Epstein’s criminal prosecution and cooperated with authorities during investigations involving the convicted sex offender.
Nevertheless, De Niro accused the administration of enriching what he called the “Trump-Epstein class,” a phrase that critics quickly dismissed as another example of the actor’s long-running obsession with attacking the president.
The rhetoric only escalated from there.
Turning his attention to immigration enforcement, De Niro characterized Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as a “masked militia” and accused them of terrorizing communities.
The comments come as the Trump administration has intensified efforts to secure the southern border and enforce immigration laws after years of record-breaking illegal crossings during the Biden era.
Finally, De Niro concluded his remarks by unleashing a familiar list of accusations against Trump, labeling him a tyrant and accusing him of racism, misogyny, and xenophobia.
“I can’t love a country that’s led by Donald Trump and his sycophant Congress,” the actor declared.
The White House was quick to respond.
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung delivered a blistering rebuttal, accusing De Niro of becoming increasingly detached from reality.
“Robert De Niro is a washed-up has-been who hasn’t been relevant in 30 years,” Cheung said in a statement. “Now, he just beclowns himself by spewing hate speech and inciting violence against others.”
Cheung went on to suggest that De Niro’s relentless attacks on Trump have become his defining public identity.
For many Americans, the latest episode highlights a growing divide between Hollywood elites and everyday voters. While celebrities like De Niro continue portraying America as a nation in decline, millions of Americans remain optimistic about the country’s future and proud of its history.
As the nation celebrates 250 years of independence, De Niro’s remarks may have generated headlines, but they also served as a reminder of how disconnected many entertainment industry figures have become from the patriotic spirit embraced by much of the country.
