The ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ actor praised millions marching across the U.S., urging Americans to stand up to what he calls “King Donald I” and defend democracy.
Robert De Niro is back at it — and he’s sending a powerful message to Americans about standing up to President Donald Trump.
The Oscar-winning actor spoke with MSNBC’s The Weekend about Saturday’s nationwide “No Kings” protests, urging people to keep raising their voices.
“The original No Kings protest was 250 years ago,” De Niro said, referencing the American Revolution. “Now we have a would-be king who wants to take it away? King Donald I. F*** that.”
The star of Killers of the Flower Moon praised the protests, which reportedly drew nearly seven million people across more than 2,700 cities. From Los Angeles to New York City, Americans from all backgrounds came together to denounce what organizers say is Trump’s push toward authoritarianism.
“We need much more of it going forward,” De Niro said. “That’s the only thing politicians are going to recognize — either face the wrath of Trump or the wrath of the people.”
De Niro also warned that Trump “does not want to leave the White House” and stressed the importance of continuing peaceful protests. “It’s a classic bully situation,” he said. “There’s no other way to face a bully; you have to face him, fight it out, and back him down. That’s the only way this is going to work.”
The actor’s comments come as part of a larger wave of Hollywood support for the “No Kings” movement. Other stars including Spike Lee, Mark Ruffalo, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ben Stiller have spoken out, encouraging Americans to unite for democracy.
De Niro tied the modern-day protests to the spirit of the nation’s founding, reminding viewers that Americans fought hard for freedom and democracy — and that fight isn’t over. “We can’t let up on him,” he said. “That’s the only way this is going to work.”
The “No Kings” protests, inspired by the original stand against monarchy, signal a renewed push by everyday Americans and celebrities alike to protect democracy in what organizers call challenging times.
