Robert De Niro, the legendary actor, received a special honor at the Cannes Film Festival—the honorary Palme d’Or. During his emotional speech, he talked about the importance of art, democracy, and standing up against leaders who threaten freedom. The crowd cheered so loudly that De Niro had to pause for a moment. Later, he admitted he got a little emotional. "How could I not be?" he said.
The next morning, sitting in a sunny room at the festival, De Niro spoke more about his thoughts on politics, age, and why he refuses to stay silent. His voice was still rough from the night before, and outside, fans were screaming for Tom Cruise, who had just arrived. De Niro laughed and said, "He’s a different kind of actor—Mission: Impossible, big franchises. I get it. I’ve done franchises too."
De Niro has been in so many movies that even he sometimes forgets them. From Taxi Driver to The Godfather Part II, his performances have made him one of the greatest actors of all time. He has won awards, worked with the best directors, and even starred in comedies like Meet the Parents. But now, at 81, he’s more focused on speaking out about what’s happening in America.
De Niro has never been afraid to criticize Donald Trump. He believes Trump is dangerous for democracy and that people must stand up against him. "We have to stop what’s going on—it’s insane," he said. "We can’t just stay quiet. If you don’t speak up, things will only get worse."
Even though speaking out might put him at risk, De Niro isn’t backing down. "Yeah, you think about safety, of course," he admitted. "But I’m too old to worry about that. Bullies keep taking more if you let them. I wouldn’t be able to look at myself if I stayed silent."
He also criticized politicians who once stood against Trump but now stay quiet. "People like Marco Rubio—they used to defend Ukraine, but now they just sit there while Trump attacks their allies. What do they tell their kids? History won’t forget this."
De Niro knows that many in Hollywood agree with him but are afraid to say it publicly. Big studios worry about angering Trump and his supporters. "They have businesses to protect," he said. "But some people are saying no—universities, law firms. That’s important because it gives others courage to fight back."
He compared the fight against Trump to classic Western movies. "The bad guys take over the town, and the sheriff has to stand up. That’s what America is about—standing up for what’s right."
Receiving the honorary Palme d’Or was a big moment, but De Niro doesn’t see himself as a legend. "I still don’t think of myself as great," he said. "When you go home, your family reminds you real quick that you’re not special."
He always wanted to be an actor, ever since he was 10 years old. His parents were artists, but he found his own path in movies. He became famous for completely transforming into his characters, so much that even other actors couldn’t guess what he was really like.
For De Niro, the Cannes Film Festival represents everything that’s good about art—freedom, creativity, and bringing people together. At a time when politics in America feels chaotic, Cannes is a reminder of what’s worth fighting for.
As he finished his coffee, De Niro looked out at the crowd still cheering for Tom Cruise. He smiled and said, "Different kind of actor, but that’s okay. We all do our part."
And for Robert De Niro, his part isn’t just acting—it’s making sure the world doesn’t stay silent when it matters most.
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