In a stunning display of political theatre, Hollywood icon Robert De Niro launched a blistering attack on former president Donald Trump, delivering what many are calling one of the most powerful political speeches of the election season.
'We stopped being a monarchy in 1776'
The Oscar-winning actor took to the stage in New York with palpable intensity, his voice resonating with conviction as he addressed the gathered crowd. "There are no kings in America," De Niro declared, his words cutting through the evening air. "We stopped being a monarchy in 1776. We should have no interest in electing a wannabe king."
A defence of American justice
De Niro's speech served as both warning and defence - a caution against authoritarian tendencies and a robust endorsement of America's judicial system. He passionately defended the justice department's handling of the classified documents case against Trump, framing it as evidence that the nation's legal framework remains functional despite political pressures.
"What we witnessed in that courtroom was not political persecution," the actor insisted. "It was the system working as our founders intended - holding power accountable regardless of position or privilege."
The fragility of democracy
Perhaps most striking was De Niro's emotional reflection on democracy's precarious state. The Taxi Driver star spoke with genuine concern about the erosion of democratic norms, suggesting that Americans risk taking their freedoms for granted until they're threatened with removal.
His message carried particular weight given his status as both entertainment legend and New York native - a man who has observed American politics through decades of cultural change.
Beyond partisan politics
The speech transcended typical political rhetoric, focusing instead on foundational principles of American governance. De Niro avoided party talking points, instead emphasising the constitutional framework that distinguishes democracy from autocracy.
As the evening concluded, one message remained clear: in De Niro's view, the 2024 election represents more than a choice between candidates - it's a decision about whether America remains a republic of laws or transforms into something its founders fought to escape.
