Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized actor Robert De Niro on his social media platform, Truth Social, labeling him as “unwatchable” and a “mess.” Trump’s comments were in response to De Niro’s speech at the Gotham Film Awards, where he presented the Gotham Historical Icon & Creator Tribute award to the cast of Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
During his speech, De Niro criticized Trump, stating, “Lying has become just another tool in the charlatan’s arsenal,” and referring to Trump’s numerous alleged lies during his presidency. He also mentioned Trump’s use of “Pocahontas” as a slur against Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Trump’s retaliatory post on Truth Social critiqued De Niro’s acting abilities and referenced a recent court case involving Graham Chase Robinson, De Niro’s former assistant. De Niro’s production company, Canal Productions, was found liable for gender discrimination and retaliation, with Robinson awarded $1.264 million in damages.
Trump wrote that De Niro’s acting talents have “greatly diminished” and criticized him for needing a teleprompter for his language. He also commented on the decline in ratings of the Academy Awards, associating it with De Niro and others.
This exchange highlights the ongoing feud between Trump and De Niro, with De Niro frequently expressing his disdain for the former president. In 2018, De Niro’s explicit criticism of Trump at the Tony Awards received a standing ovation. Trump’s recent post suggests he views De Niro as a “total loser” and advises him to focus on his personal life rather than others.
