De Niro Criticizes Trump 100% Film Tariff at Cannes

At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro received the lifetime achievement honorary Palme d'Or and used his speech to strongly criticize U.S. President Donald Trump for imposing a 100% tariff on foreign films and cutting funding for the arts, humanities, and education. De Niro described Trump as a "philistine" and a threat to artistic diversity and creativity, emphasizing that art embraces truth and inclusion, which autocrats and fascists find threatening. He called on those who care about liberty to protest these policies, warning that the attacks on the arts are a global problem requiring determined, nonviolent action. The festival also served as a platform for political discourse, highlighting the intersection of cinema and global events. Leonardo DiCaprio, who presented De Niro with the award, praised him for "fighting for our democracy," underscoring the political undertones of De Niro's remarks. De Niro's stance reflects broader concerns about the impact of protectionist measures on cultural exchange and the arts community worldwide.