Robert De Niro has delivered one of his most striking political attacks yet, comparing Americans insisting they love their country under Donald Trump to an abused spouse saying they love their abuser. Speaking at the 'Rise Up, Sing Out' concert in New York City, the actor said the familiar phrase 'We all love our country' had literally stuck in his throat because, in his view, America is 'not so lovable right now'.
The 82-year-old star made clear that his frustration was not rooted in a lifelong hatred of America. Instead, he said the country had welcomed his immigrant ancestors, provided his family with opportunities and offered extraordinary freedoms, before arguing that its current direction had made those feelings increasingly difficult to hold.
De Niro's 'Abused Spouse' Comparison
De Niro's most eye-catching moment came as he explained his reaction to an open letter he had signed in support of Jimmy Kimmel after the late-night host was taken off the air. The letter included the line 'We love our country regardless of political affiliation', but De Niro said those words immediately bothered him.
'The phrase, We all love our country, stuck in my throat,' he told the crowd. He then delivered the comparison that transformed the speech into a particularly blunt political statement, saying that loving America right now sounded like 'an abused spouse saying they love their abuser'.
Trump Became the Focus of His Anger
From there, De Niro turned his attention directly towards Trump and the administration's policies. He said he could not love a country that, in his view, starts 'stupid and inhumane wars', takes healthcare away from millions and causes suffering both at home and abroad.
He also accused the administration of using government power against ordinary citizens and criticised its treatment of migrants and families. His language became even more direct when he described Trump as a 'racist, misogynist, xenophobic tyrant' and attacked Congress as his 'sycophant Congress'.
His Attack Went Beyond the President
Although Trump was clearly the main target, De Niro's remarks were broader than a simple attack on one politician. He presented his concerns as a criticism of the political system surrounding the President, particularly lawmakers and policies that he believes have allowed the current administration to operate unchecked.
The actor also linked his comments to his wider concerns about the direction of the country. Rather than presenting his criticism as a rejection of America itself, he argued that speaking against its leadership was part of trying to protect the values he believes America should represent.
De Niro Says He Wants America Back
Despite the furious tone, De Niro ended on a notably emotional and almost hopeful note. He acknowledged that he had loved America for most of his life, particularly because it had welcomed his immigrant ancestors and given his family freedoms and opportunities.
'I want to love my country again. I want my country back,' he told the audience. He urged those listening to keep organising, speaking out and standing together, framing resistance as a way of reclaiming the country rather than abandoning it.
The Speech Fits His Long Trump Feud
The fiery appearance also continues De Niro's long-running public opposition to Trump. Earlier this year, the actor became emotional during an interview while urging Americans to 'resist' the administration, warning that the political movement surrounding Trump could continue even beyond his presidency.
De Niro has also rejected accusations that his criticism amounts to 'Trump Derangement Syndrome', dismissing the label as nonsense. His latest remarks therefore represent another chapter in a political feud that has become almost as recognisable as his Hollywood career.
The White House Hits Back At De Niro
The speech quickly drew a fierce response from the White House, with communications director Steven Cheung dismissing De Niro as a 'washed-up has-been' and accusing him of spreading hate speech.
Cheung also revived the 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' insult, turning De Niro's fiery remarks into a fresh clash between Hollywood and Trump's administration.
Yet De Niro's central message was less about abandoning America than demanding a version of it that he feels he can love again.
For the actor, patriotism is not about automatically praising whoever holds power, and his controversial abused-spouse comparison was his most dramatic way of making that point.
