Robert De Niro Urges Protests, Voter Turnout While Criticizing Trump
Actor Robert De Niro has, again, engaged in one of his favorite pastimes: Criticizing President Donald Trump and his policies. His latest foray into activism came during an event tied to the “No Kings” movement, where he urged supporters to increase protest activity and voter participation ahead of upcoming elections.
De Niro made the remarks during a kickoff call for a National Day of Action, where he outlined what he described as key concerns facing the country. His comments focused on inflation, immigration enforcement, and foreign policy.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent—no one, no one voted for new wars. No one voted for higher prices at the pump. No one voted for higher prices in grocery stores. No one voted for higher prices in the housing market,” De Niro said without noting how prices dramatically increased under the Biden administration.
He also criticized deportation policies and alleged government overreach. “No one voted for deporting our good neighbors,” the actor said. “And no one voted for government-masked thugs shooting down our citizens in the streets.”
De Niro accused the administration of failing to reflect voter priorities. “Trump isn’t paying attention to what we voted for,” he said.
The remarks were part of a broader push by organizers of the “No Kings” campaign, which is planning demonstrations and political engagement efforts. De Niro encouraged supporters to participate through what he described as multiple forms of civic action.
“First, vote with your feet in the nonviolent No Kings demonstration on March 28th,” De Niro said. “But we will get his attention in the November elections. That’s why I’m asking you to vote three times,” he said.
He urged supporters to contribute time and resources to organizing efforts, including voter registration and protest participation. “And second, you have to vote by answering the call to fight this insane administration,” he said.
De Niro emphasized that electoral participation remains the ultimate objective. “And finally, third, vote in the election November 3rd. That is the ultimate goal. But first, you have to vote by joining the No Kings demonstrations,” he said.
He warned that failing to engage in both protest activity and voting could have long-term consequences. “And if you don’t do both of those, you may never get to vote at all. It’s crazy, but it’s come to that. So now, it’s up to you. It’s up to all of us,” he said.
In February, De Niro escalated his criticism of Trump, warning the country faces what he described as an internal crisis and calling for resistance ahead of the midterm elections.
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, De Niro said the primary threat to the United States is not external but “something inside.” He argued that allowing Trump to expand his influence would have broader consequences.
“This is about our country imploding. It’s not like something outside, it’s something inside. And we can’t allow it. If we allow Trump to go any further, he’ll just take more and more,” De Niro said.
He also urged Americans to maintain a visible public presence in the lead-up to the elections, describing the midterms as a pivotal moment for the country.
“The goal is to get rid of Trump,” De Niro said. “I don’t even use the word ‘hope’ anymore, but the midterms are crucial, as everybody knows. The goal is to get rid of Trump. Because everything goes if he’s not gotten rid of,” he said.
The remarks followed a public back-and-forth between De Niro and Trump earlier that month, as well as the actor’s appearance at a protest event in Washington timed to coincide with the president’s address to Congress.
