At the recent opening of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, actor Robert De Niro used his honorary Palme d'Or acceptance speech to deliver a scathing critique of President Donald Trump.

De Niro condemned the budget cuts to arts, humanities, and cultural education in the United States, as well as the proposed 100% tariff on foreign films.

The actor labeled Trump a "philistine president" and voiced concern over the threat these policies pose to creativity and cultural diversity.
"You can't put a price on creativity, but apparently you can impose a tariff," said De Niro, emphasizing the importance of defending artistic freedom against authoritarian tendencies.

He also criticized Trump for appointing himself head of a U.S. cultural institution, pointing out the contradiction between that role and the funding cuts to the arts.

De Niro urged the international community to act with passion and determination to protect democracy and artistic expression.

This speech by De Niro at Cannes highlights growing concern in the cultural world over policies that endanger freedom of expression and access to culture.
His call to action stands as a passionate defense of the vital role that the arts play in a democratic society.