De Niro Speaks Out Against Trump
Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro attended a counter-State of the Union event and told attendees he feels “betrayed by my country.” Speaking on MS NOW, he predicted that Donald Trump “will never leave” office unless Americans act to remove him. De Niro condemned the current state of US politics, calling the country “of, by and for a handful of dishonest and greedy and cruel authoritarians” and urging a return to the nation’s founding values.
Trump Responds with Personal Attacks
Trump reacted on Truth Social, targeting De Niro along with Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. He labeled them “lunatics” and called De Niro “deranged” and “seriously CRIMINAL.” Trump compared De Niro unfavorably to Rosie O’Donnell, whose citizenship he had previously threatened to revoke despite Supreme Court protections, and criticized De Niro’s emotional reaction to political events.
Public Opinion and Political Context
Recent polls show growing concern over Trump’s leadership and the age of US political officials. A Reuters/Ipsos survey found 61% of Americans believe Trump has become erratic with age, including 89% of Democrats and 64% of independents. Another poll indicated 79% feel elected leaders in Washington are too old to represent most Americans, with average ages of 64 in the Senate and 58 in the House. According to a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll, only 39% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president. The White House dismissed these results as “fake and desperate narratives.”
