Former President Donald Trump has unleashed a furious verbal assault on legendary actor Robert De Niro, branding him a "sick and demented person" following the Hollywood star's impassioned political commentary. This explosive exchange marks the latest chapter in a long-running feud between the polarising political figure and the outspoken cinematic icon.
De Niro's Scathing Podcast Remarks Spark Controversy
The conflict escalated dramatically this week when De Niro, during an appearance on MSNBC's "The Best People with Nicole Wallace" podcast, delivered blistering criticism of Trump and his supporters. The 82-year-old acting veteran did not mince words, stating unequivocally: "He's an idiot. We gotta get rid of him. He's gonna ruin the country."
De Niro further elaborated on his concerns about political division, emphasising: "I don't want everybody going around with their MAGA, the American flags, like they're the only ones. We are Americans too." These remarks set the stage for a more formal political intervention by the celebrated performer.
The State of the Swamp Counter-Address
Building upon his podcast comments, De Niro headlined "The State of the Swamp," a carefully orchestrated counter-programming event that coincided directly with Trump's official State of the Union address on Tuesday. During this alternative presentation, the actor expressed profound disillusionment with the current political landscape.
"I feel betrayed by my country," De Niro confessed emotionally to the audience. He continued with a call to action: "It doesn't have to be perfect, but it does need to return to the values that gave us our strength and humanity. If you want our leaders to be accountable, if you're devoted to the constitution and the rule of law, if you want the United States of America to be worthy of your love, be ready to take to the streets together, and we will take our country back."
Trump's Lengthy Truth Social Retaliation
The former president responded on Wednesday with an extensive post on his Truth Social platform, delivering a characteristically combative rebuttal that targeted both De Niro and Democratic representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.
"When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union, such an important and beautiful event, they had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized," Trump wrote in his distinctive rhetorical style.
He then turned his attention specifically to De Niro: "They should actually get on a boat with Trump Deranged Robert De Niro, another sick and demented person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ, who has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying — some of which is seriously CRIMINAL!"
A Long-Standing Political Animosity
This public clash represents merely the latest episode in De Niro's sustained criticism of Trump, which intensified significantly during the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. In a November pre-election interview on HBO Max's "Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?", the actor made his political allegiances unmistakably clear.
As a vocal supporter of Kamala Harris's election campaign, De Niro dismissed Trump and his allies as "not real Republicans." When questioned about potential personal history with the former president during their overlapping years in New York's social circles, De Niro responded dismissively: "No. I never wanted anything to do with him. He's a jerk, an idiot, who wants to meet a clown like that?"
The "Taxi Driver" star elaborated on his political preferences: "You've got to help everybody. People are going to get overlooked. That happens, but at least you have somebody who's sensitive to the condition of the country, the people. And I'm not saying this like this, because it's Kamala Harris, but it is. We need someone like her to do it. She'll make mistakes. Of course, everybody does, but we need somebody with the right intentions, this guy does not have the right intentions, and everybody knows that. It's insanity. Period."
This extraordinary public confrontation between one of America's most celebrated actors and its most controversial modern political figure continues to highlight the deep cultural and political divisions within the nation. Both men have established themselves as uncompromising voices in their respective spheres, ensuring that this feud will likely continue to generate headlines and commentary across the political spectrum.
