Hollywood loves to criticize Trump but they don’t do anything for anyone except themselves.
President Donald Trump was the target of another heated Hollywood attack over the weekend, this time from Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro.
De Niro, one of Trump’s most outspoken celebrity critics, appeared Sunday at the “Hands Off Our Vote!” rally in New York City, where he called Trump a “coward” and used additional profanity while urging Americans to vote in the upcoming elections.
The actor also criticized Republicans in Congress, the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice and Immigration and Customs Enforcement as he argued that voting rights are under threat.
His comments represented his political views and accusations, some of which were strongly disputed by Trump supporters and Republicans.
Robert De Niro Takes Aim at Trump
De Niro began his remarks by focusing on political power and the Constitution.
“Power to the people isn’t just a slogan — it’s the founding principle of our nation, guaranteed by the Constitution,” he told the crowd.
The actor claimed that powerful government officials were attempting to reduce the influence of ordinary voters.
He then encouraged Americans to participate in the election and urged attendees to persuade their relatives, friends and neighbors to vote as well.
“First, we’re going to vote, and we’re going to vote early,” De Niro said.
The speech soon became much more confrontational.
De Niro Uses Harsh Language Against Trump
De Niro accused the Trump administration of supporting policies that he considers unpopular and repeatedly used profanity while criticizing the president and Republicans.
At one point, the actor called Trump a “coward” before adding an explicit personal insult.
For advertiser-friendly purposes, the additional profanity is not reproduced here.
De Niro repeatedly used the phrase “hands off our vote” as he led the audience through a call-and-response exchange.
He directed criticism at several major American institutions, including Congress and the Supreme Court.
De Niro also accused the Trump Justice Department and ICE of taking actions that he believes could interfere with voting.
Those were allegations made during De Niro’s political speech and should not be confused with independently established findings.
Actor Criticizes Republicans in Congress
De Niro did not limit his criticism to Trump.
He accused Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate of failing to protect voting rights and attacked the Supreme Court over decisions he believes have contributed to voter suppression.
The broader dispute reflects a long-running national debate over election laws.
Republicans frequently argue that measures involving voter identification, voter-roll maintenance and election security are necessary to protect confidence in elections.
Democrats and voting-rights groups have argued that some of those measures could make voting more difficult for eligible citizens.
The disagreement has become an increasingly prominent political issue ahead of the elections.
De Niro Calls on Voters to Change Congress
Near the end of his appearance, De Niro made clear what political outcome he wanted.
“Take back the House. Take back the Senate. Take back the power. Take back our country,” he told the crowd.
His remarks were met with applause.
Control of Congress carries major consequences for the Trump administration.
A Republican-controlled Congress could make it easier for the president to pursue portions of his legislative agenda, while Democratic control of either chamber could create significant obstacles and lead to more investigations and political confrontations.
That makes voter turnout especially important for both parties.
Hollywood and Politics Collide Again
De Niro’s appearance is another example of prominent entertainers becoming directly involved in American politics.
Hollywood celebrities have participated in campaigns and political causes for decades, although their involvement can produce mixed reactions among voters.
Supporters may welcome celebrities who use their platforms to encourage political participation.
Critics, however, often question whether wealthy entertainers are in touch with the concerns facing ordinary Americans.
De Niro’s aggressive language could intensify that debate.
Rather than focusing exclusively on disagreements over policy, the actor turned part of his speech into a highly personal attack on Trump.
Whether that approach persuades voters or simply deepens political divisions is likely to depend heavily on the audience.
Trump and De Niro Have a Long-Running Feud
The dispute between Trump and De Niro is nothing new.
De Niro has publicly criticized Trump for years and has previously described him using terms including “sadistic” and “clown.”
Trump has fired back on numerous occasions.
The president has previously called De Niro “wacko” and accused the veteran actor of suffering from what Trump calls “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Their ongoing feud has become one of the most recognizable clashes between Trump and a major Hollywood figure.
Election Debate Continues to Intensify
The latest exchange arrives as political tensions continue to build ahead of the elections.
Trump supporters argue that the president is carrying out the agenda voters elected him to pursue, including stronger immigration enforcement, election-security measures and changes throughout the federal government.
Trump’s critics argue that some of his administration’s policies risk giving the executive branch too much power and could weaken voting protections.
Those disagreements will ultimately be settled politically by voters.
De Niro clearly hopes Americans will reject Trump’s agenda and elect Democrats to Congress. Trump and his allies are making the opposite case as they seek continued support for the administration’s priorities.
One thing is certain: with Election Day approaching, Americans can expect increasingly aggressive rhetoric from both sides.