During a recent episode of the podcast The Best People With Nicole Wallace, Robert De Niro became visibly emotional as he urged Americans to actively resist President Donald Trump’s administration. The Oscar-winning actor expressed deep concern about Trump’s impact on the United States and the urgent need for collective action to protect the nation.
De Niro described the situation as dire, stating,
“The story is our country, and Trump is destroying it, and who knows what his reasons are, but it’s sick, it’s fucked up,”
adding emphatically,
“We have to save the country.”
De Niro Labels Trump as a National Threat and Calls for Unity
The actor did not hold back in calling President Trump an adversary to the country’s well-being. He warned listeners not to underestimate the gravity of the situation, explaining,
“Let’s not kid ourselves. It’s that simple. Everybody has to stick together to get them out and get back on track.”
De Niro framed the fight against Trump and his supporters as a crucial battle that requires unwavering solidarity among Americans.
Repeated Urgency to Resist and Neutralize Trump’s Influence
Throughout the conversation, De Niro stressed the importance of continuous resistance. He insisted that the movement opposing Trump cannot be ignored or expected to vanish easily, even if Trump were to leave office abruptly. He said,
“People have to resist, resist, resist, resist, resist. That’s the only way. There’s no magic. There’s no nothing – people are not going to go away, even if Trump dies for some reason by having an illness or something,”
and added,
“Parts of that movement are still there, and that’s the scary part. It has to be neutralized by the people.”
De Niro Reflects on His Legacy of Uplifting Others
Nicole Wallace reminded De Niro of his 1981 Academy Award speech for Raging Bull, noting how he had thanked others and emphasized lifting people up. When asked why this mattered so much to him, De Niro’s voice faltered as he said,
“You have to — you have to lift people up,”
continuing,
“You have to bring them together. Period. You can’t divide people. You can’t win that way.”
He elaborated on the critical challenge facing the nation, reflecting,
“It’s a no-win situation, and look what we have, look who we have there, it’s almost like a destiny to have this thing there, destroying… attempting to destroy this country and maybe not even understanding why. So it’s up to us to protect the country.”
De Niro Connects Today’s Struggle to Historic Challenges
De Niro has been a vocal critic of Trump for years. In October 2025, he appeared in a video supporting the No Kings protests hosted by the activist group Indivisible. He drew parallels between the protests and America’s fight against monarchy centuries ago, saying,
“The original No Kings protest was 250 years ago,”
and explaining,
“Americans decided they didn’t want to live under the rule of King George III. They declared their independence and fought a bloody war for democracy. We’ve had two and a half centuries of democracy since then. Often challenging, sometimes messy, always essential.”
He warned against what he called a new form of monarchy with Trump, declaring,
“Now we have a would-be king who wants to take it away: King Donald the First. Fuck that. We’re rising up again, this time, nonviolently raising our voices to declare: No Kings.”
The Stakes of Resistance and What Lies Ahead
Robert De Niro’s passionate appeals highlight a broader cultural and political reckoning regarding Donald Trump’s influence on the United States. By urging Americans to come together and resist, De Niro underscores a sense of urgency fueled by frustration and concern for the country’s future. His message advocates for unity and active participation in protecting democracy at a time many view as fraught with division and threat.
As debates around Trump’s legacy and ongoing political movements continue, De Niro’s call to action reflects the sentiments of many who believe that resisting former administration policies is essential for the nation’s recovery and cohesion.
