Robert De Niro Shares Bold Remarks During Cannes Speech After Receiving Palme d’Or
Robert De Niro Mentions Donald Trump During His Palme d’Or Acceptance Speech at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
More than just cheers awaited the 81-year-old actor when he returned to the Cannes spotlight.
While reflecting on a festival he called “home” in the midst of global turmoil, he made a rare family appearance and gave a daring political statement.
At the 78th Festival of Cannes’ opening ceremony on May 13, 2025, renowned American actor, filmmaker, and producer Robert of Niro was presented with an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime accomplishment.
The “Titanic” actor Leonardo DiCaprio gave him the award. Fourteen years have passed since Robert presided over the jury at the esteemed film festival in 2011.
Robert discussed U.S. political trends in his acceptance speech, mentioning President Donald Trump in particular.
He started off by saying, “In my country, we are fighting like [expletive] for the democracy we once took for granted.” He said, “That affects all of us here because the arts are democratic.”
The link between democratic values and the arts was highlighted by Robert, who said, “That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists.”
He went on to discuss the recent nomination and policy plans of the U.S. President. Robert remarked,
“America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions,” alluding to the appointment of the president as chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts himself.
The former “Goodfellas” star also took issue with the 47th president of the United States’ announcement of new tariffs, saying, “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.”
“Let that sink in for a minute,” he said to the audience after a lengthy silence.
Robert called the situation intolerable and called for international action. “These insults are all intolerable. And this is a worldwide issue, not just an American one,” he stated.
He issued a call to action as he concluded this section of his address. We can’t just sit back and watch it like a movie. We must take action, and we must do it quickly, passionately, and resolutely—without resorting to violence.
Anyone who values liberty should organize, demonstrate, and, of course, cast a ballot in elections.
Social media users responded to Robert’s speech in a variety of ways, as was to be expected. The passion of his statement was conveyed in a number of comments on TikTok.
“Who hurt him?” was written by one individual. One more person said, “A man with courage.” “Words are powerful when spoken with conviction,” said a third.
Opinions on Facebook, however, differed greatly. “Excellently stated,” one netizen commented. strong speech. Someone else said, “Shame on him.”
In response, someone else said, “This guy is crazy.” Completely out of touch [sic],” while another person said, “So disrespectful [sic].”
Supporting comments were also made, such as “Mr. DeNiro spoke very well.” We must fight back and treat this seriously. But criticism persisted, with one person saying, “He is a joke.”
Robert had expressed his feelings about being honored in the run-up to the occasion. “I have such close feelings for Festival de Cannes…
” he said. “The Cannes Film Festival unites us as storytellers, filmmakers, fans, and friends, especially at a time when so much else is tearing us apart. It feels like home.
Tiffany Chen, his 45-year-old girlfriend, walked beside him on the red carpet. His daughter, Helen Grace, was also with the pair.
In December 2011, a surrogate gave birth to his daughter. People magazine was informed at the time by Robert’s agent that he and his then-wife, Grace Hightower, had given birth to a daughter.
She is the second child of the ex-couple, following her older brother Elliot, and weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces at birth.
At the time Helen was born, Robert was also the father of four other children: twin sons Julian and Aaron, born through surrogacy with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith, and daughter Drena and son Raphael with his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott.
In August 2024, Drena posted a humorous video and an Instagram carousel of pictures of her father for his 81st birthday. Fans had conflicting reactions to the movie star’s daring jump from a boat.
Wearing only a pair of bathing shorts with stripes of red and blue, the shirtless “Taxi Driver” star made a bold jump from a yacht into the ocean in the entertaining video.
“Happy 81st Bday to my Dad and #1 ride or die,” Drena wrote as the description for the now-deleted Instagram carousel of pictures and a video. My love for you is unending ✨👑✨ #BobbyD.
Many people responded to the images of Robert’s birthday plunge, including some who wished him a happy birthday.
Someone commented on the actor’s amazing appearance, saying, “Happy birthday to the OG!!!!!” At this age, may we all look this good! “Godless.” Robert was commended by another admirer for living life to the fullest, saying, “Awesome Good for him. “Live life [sic]; age is just a number.”
Another person said, “That dive! Omg.” in admiration of his audacious behavior. Some, however, voiced their worries, with one saying, “I don’t think he’s ok … For an 81-year-old man, that is a poor landing. He’s 36 feet, bro, and he believes he turned 18.
“That second slide gave me anxiety! 🤣🤣🎂” another netizen commented. Others expressed less enthusiasm, stating that Robert appeared “shriveled” and that they “really don’t want to see old man body.”
Robert dove headfirst but ended himself on his back in the now-deleted Instagram carousel of photos and a video that received many comments. “He’s so crazy,” Drena is heard saying to him. God, oh God. God, oh God. “Are you okay?”
When Robert reappeared, he replied, “I’m Okay.” When Drena inquired about her father’s jumping height, he said, “36 feet.” Robert was told by the actress that he was “crazy” for making the big leap.
The actor continues to make bold moves in both his personal and professional life, even as he approaches his 80s. On August 17, 2024, the actor was 81.
He still has a strong passion for his career and has no plans to leave the business anytime soon. He received his tenth nomination for an Oscar in 2024 for his performance in the western-crime movie “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
With this nomination, he joined the select 17 actors in Hollywood history who have received eight or more acting nods, including such luminaries as Meryl Streep and Denzel Washington.
When Robert learned of his most recent nomination, he was working hard on the set of his then-upcoming Netflix series, “Zero Day”.
He said he didn’t stop to pop champagne and party, but it was great to be acknowledged at this stage of his career. Robert claims that his labor is the reward because he isn’t yet prepared to retire. Adding, “I enjoy it,”
Robert enjoys spending time with his family even as he gets older. In 2023, the movie star gave birth to Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, his youngest kid. He and his partner, martial arts instructor Tiffany, have a daughter together.
“It’s nice being an 80-year-old father. When I look at her, whatever I’m thinking about, worrying about, or this or that suddenly disappears,” he exclaimed.
The actor broke down when discussing his seventh child, calling the entire experience “wondrous.” “She has a very sweet kind of way of looking at you and just taking you in,” he stated.
In order to enjoy fatherhood and spending time with Gia, Robert wants to stay as long as possible.
Robert, who is 81 years old, is still devoted to his family and his career, striking a balance between his love of acting and the rewards of parenting.
Robert’s recent shirtless appearance shows that he still finds time for fun, so it’s not all serious.
