At the Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro spotted headlines — not just for picking up the honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement, but for throwing some serious shade at Donald Trump.
The famous actor didn’t pause during his speech, taking a dig at Trump and his politics.
Stepped out with his 45-year-old girlfriend
Calling Robert De Niro one of the most outstanding actors of all time isn’t just hype — it’s fact.
At 87, the legendary actor, director, and producer was honored on May 13, 2025, with a prestigious honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement at the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival. But De Niro didn’t just accept the award quietly — he used the spotlight to send a message that left the audience amazed.
The Deer Hunter icon turned heads on the red carpet, arriving with his 45-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. Also in attendance was his daughter, Helen Grace, who joined the couple for the milestone event.
The award was introduced by none other than Leonardo DiCaprio — a full-circle moment, as De Niro served as Jury President at the very same festival 14 years earlier, back in 2011.
Robert De Niro, known for his outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump, didn’t pause because he addressed the political climate back home.
”America’s barbaric president..”
He started by saying, ”In my country, we are fighting like [expletive] for the democracy we once took for granted.” He went on to add, ”That affects all of us here because the arts are democratic.”
Turning his concentration to the current U.S. administration, De Niro sharply blasted President Trump’s recent moves.
“America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions,” he said.
”We can’t just all sit back and watch”
The Goodfellas star also commented Trump’s new tariff announcement: “He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities, and education, and now he has announced a 100 per cent tariff on films that are produced outside the US.”
He ended his speech with a powerful call for action: “Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now without violence but with great passion and determination. It’s time for anyone who cares about liberty to organise, to protest, and when there are elections, of course, to vote.”
Different reactions
The speech triggered a controversy online. On YouTube and TikTok, users shared everything from admiration to skepticism.
Comments ranged from “Who hurt him?” to “A man with courage.”
On commenter shared: “Powerful, passionate, yet calm speech. The man is right. It is a call to arms to protect education and the arts, all the things Trump and his international ‘friends’ are frightened of”.
”An actual American, who cares about America and the rest of the planet that we all reside on!,” another person added.
