De Niro’s Emotional Call to “Resist”
The well known Oscar- winning actor, Robert De Niro, recently featured on “The Best People With Nicole Wallace” podcast. The actor was visibly distraught and filled with emotion as he called on Americans to “resist” President Donald Trump and his administration.
De Niro was outspoken about saving America. He went on to say, “The story is our country, and Trump is destroying it, and who knows what his reasons are, but it’s sick, it’s fucked up,” De Niro said. “We have to save the country.”
He described Trump as the “enemy of this country,” and further went on to say “Let’s not kid ourselves. It’s that simple. Everybody has to stick together to get them out and get back on track.”
Throughout the interview, De Niro repeatedly called for opposition to the administration.
“People have to resist, resist, resist, resist, resist. That’s the only way. There’s no magic. There’s no nothing – people are not going to go away, even if Trump dies for some reason by having an illness or something,” he said. “Parts of that movement are still there, and that’s the scary part. It has to be neutralised by the people.”
Later in the conversation, Wallace referenced De Niro’s 1981 Academy Award acceptance speech for “Raging Bull,” noting how he “thanked everybody” and has always been “about lifting up everybody around you.”
When asked why, De Niro became emotional.
“You have to — you have to lift people up,” he said, his voice cracking. “You have to bring them together. Period. You can’t divide people. You can’t win that way.”
He added, “It’s a no-win situation, and look what we have, look who we have there, it’s almost like a destiny to have this thing there, destroying… attempting to destroy this country and maybe not even understanding why. So it’s up to us to protect the country.”
Hollywood’s History of Political Outspokenness
De Niro is not alone in his criticism. Over the years, several high profile actors have been vocal in their opposition to Trump and his policies. Meryl Streep made headlines during her 2017 Golden Globes speech, where she criticised Trump’s behaviour without directly naming him. She called out what she described as public mockery and divisive rhetoric. The speech sparked a political firestorm and cemented her as one of Hollywood’s most outspoken critics.
George Clooney has also repeatedly voiced concerns about what he views as attacks on democratic institutions and the press, often emphasising the importance of civic engagement and voter participation. Adding to this, Mark Ruffalo has used social media and public appearances to criticise the administration’s environmental and social policies, urging fans to stay politically active and informed. Jane Fonda, another veteran actress has been equally direct. She has frequently tackled topics regarding climate policy, civil rights, and what she sees as the broader cultural impact of Trump-era politics, at rallies and interviews.
Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin became a central pop culture figure in the political conversation through his portrayal of Trump on “Saturday Night Live,” a performance that drew both praise and backlash and kept political satire squarely in the mainstream.
Celebrity Activism in the Trump Era
Together, these voices reflect a long running pattern of political activism in Hollywood, where celebrity platforms often intersect with national debates. Whether through awards speeches, interviews, satire, or social media, many actors have chosen not to stay silent. They have framed their opposition as a civic responsibility rather than a career risk.
