De Niro’s Cannes Speech Diverts to Political Commentary
Actor Robert De Niro seemingly missed the mark during his acceptance speech for the Palme d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cannes Festival on Tuesday. Rather than embracing the honor, he dedicated a large part of his remarks to criticizing President Donald Trump.
Addressing a crowd of fellow actors, De Niro called Trump the “Philistine President,” remarking on how Americans are fighting hard for democracy, a value they once took for granted. He highlighted the unifying nature of art, stating, “Art is democratic, art is inclusive, it brings people together… Art embraces diversity, and that’s why art is a threat.”
The 81-year-old star could have celebrated his achievements but seemed more consumed by his political agenda, which overshadowed what should have been a personal milestone.
He continued, “That’s why we are a threat to dictators and fascists. The Philistine President of America has been appointed head of one of our best cultural institutions (Kennedy Centers). He cut funding and support for the arts, the humanities, and education.” De Niro’s comments strayed from the typical gracious acceptance, focusing instead on his grievances.
“You can’t put a price on creativity, but you can put tariffs, apparently. Of course, this is unacceptable. All of these attacks are unacceptable,” he added, further steering the conversation toward his criticisms.
As he concluded, De Niro made an effort to turn the ceremony into a call for political action. “This is not just an American issue, it’s a global issue. Unlike films, we can’t just sit and watch. We have to act, we have to act now,” he urged.
His passionate appeal to take action ended with a reminder of the importance of voting. “I’ll vote,” he stated before attempting to reconnect with the celebration of the arts.
Wrapping up his speech, De Niro emphasized the ongoing celebration, declaring, “Tonight and for the next 11 days, we will demonstrate strength and commitment by celebrating the arts at this glorious festival: Liberate, Egalité, Fratanite.”
