Robert De Niro Exercises His Right to Free Speech at First Amendment Event: ‘I Can't Love a Country That's Led by Donald Trump'
Robert De Niromade a surprise appearance at Sunday's "Rise Up, Sing Out" concert for the First Amendment in New York City, and he certainly had something to say.
It looks like De Niro has something in common withDonald Trump: They both want to make America great again. But in very different ways. During a passionate speech, the legendary actor shared, "For most of my life, I did love this country. The United States of America welcomed my immigrant ancestors and gave me, my family, and my fellow citizens such rich opportunities and extraordinary freedoms. I want to love my country again. I want my country back."
Organized and headlined byJane Fonda, the star-studded event for free speech featured Bette Midler, Patti Smith, Julia Roberts, Sasha Allen, Joy Reid, Rufus Wainwright, and a surprise by Academy Award winner, De Niro.
The actor got a laugh and a rousing chorus of applause when he took the stage, opening with, "And welcome to all of you who couldn't get tickets to the White House cage fight."
De Niro continued, explaining, "I'm devoted to our Constitution's First Amendment. All parts of it, not just the free speech part. That said, I'm pretty close to being a free speech absolutist. Even speech I don't like, and there's plenty of that around, so when I hear something I don't like, I use my own free speech to respond."
Never one to shy away from saying what's on his mind, the outspoken critic of the president added, "When I hear Trump say, as he did a few days ago, ‘I don't think about Americans' financial situations, not even a little bit." I say, ‘Shut the f*** up'." Booming cheers broke out as fans stood to applaud the actor. "On Wednesday, Trump said, ‘I love the inflation.' Now say it with me, ‘Shut the f*** up!'." And as De Niro requested, the audience joined him, echoing the harsh words in a defiant chant.
De Niro bashed Trump and his presidency, saying, "The phrase ‘we all love our country' stuck in my throat. Because our country isn't so lovable right now. I hate to say it, but loving our country is starting to sound like an abused spouse saying they love their abuser. I can't love a country that starts stupid and inhumane wars, killing thousands of innocents and indirectly causing the deaths and suffering of millions more. I can't love a country that takes healthcare away from millions of people and uses that money to enrich their pals in the Trump-Epstein class."
But De Niro didn't end there: "I can't love a country that sends masked militias to shoot citizens in the streets, torture our neighbors, and separate families. I can't love a country that's led by a racist, misogynist, xenophobic tyrant. And let me just say it-I can't love a country that's led by Donald Trump and his sycophant Congress."
Following the event, fans took to social media praising De Niro's words with comments (on Reddit) such as, "Well said!" and, "My heroes, in no particular order: The Boss, Robert De Niro, Neil Young. They've lived their convictions. They don't make excuses, they don't trust frauds."
Others commented on a TikTok video showcasing the actor's speech, saying, "Robert De Niro is a star in so many ways! Great asset to our country," and, "No one could have said it better than Mr. Robert De Niro! 100."
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 5:39 AM.