Robert De Niro Criticizes Donald Trump, Urging Action Against Global Threat

Actor Robert De Niro resumed his public criticism of Donald Trump during the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes film festival, stating that the US president poses a global threat. De Niro, 81, emphasized the importance of art as a unifying force and a threat to autocrats and fascists. He attacked Trump's policies, including the planned 100% tariff on films made outside the US and the cuts to funding and support for the arts, humanities, and education.

Key Takeaways:

• De Niro criticized Trump's policies, including the planned 100% tariff on films made outside the US, calling it unacceptable.
• He emphasized the importance of art as a unifying force and a threat to autocrats and fascists.
• De Niro called for people to take action against Trump's policies, without violence, but with great passion and determination.
• He urged people to organize, protest, and vote in elections to protect liberty and democracy.
• The actor's speech was met with applause from the audience at the Grand Lumiére cinema in Cannes.
• De Niro has been a long-time regular at the Cannes film festival, serving as president of the jury in 2011 and having some of his key films premiere at the festival.
• The Cannes festival has been marked by its engagement with real-world affairs, including the sentencing of Gérard Depardieu and the controversy over Trump's tariffs.

Statistics:

• 100%: The planned tariff on films made outside the US, as announced by Trump.
• 11 days: The duration of the Cannes festival, which runs until 24 May.
• 78: The number of the Cannes film festival, where De Niro delivered his speech.
• 2011: The year De Niro served as president of the jury at the festival.

Sources:

• Catherine Shoard, Robert De Niro v Donald Trump: 'You can't put a price on creativity', The Guardian.
• "The Guardian" is a British daily newspaper that features news, analysis, and commentary from around the world.
• Catherine Shoard is a British journalist and writer.