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Cannes 2025 witnessed more than just cinematic brilliance, it became a global stage for resistance. Hollywood legend Robert De Niro delivered a searing political statement during the opening night, taking direct aim at Donald Trump’s newly proposed 100% tariff on foreign films and his administration’s ongoing attack on the arts.
“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,” De Niro declared to a standing ovation. “Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity. That’s why it’s a threat. That’s why we are a threat — to autocrats and fascists.”
De Niro didn’t hold back, calling out Trump as a “philistine” who has gutted support for arts, humanities, and education, while positioning himself as a cultural gatekeeper. “You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it,” he said sharply, warning that such moves were not only un-American but dangerous on a global scale.
“This isn’t just an American problem. It’s a global one,” he said, urging citizens across the world to rise, protest peacefully, and vote with purpose. “Unlike a film, we can’t just sit back and watch. We have to act now.”
Closing his impassioned address with the iconic French motto “Liberté, égalité, fraternité,” De Niro turned the red carpet into a rallying cry, a powerful reminder that cinema isn’t just about storytelling, it’s about standing up for the soul of society.