Robert De Niro breaks down in tears as he makes bold claim about Donald Trump’s presidency

Hollywood actor Robert De Niro has once again strongly criticized Donald Trump, saying he believes the former president is seriously damaging the United States.

During a recent appearance on The Best People With Nicole Wallace podcast, the 82-year-old actor spoke passionately and emotionally about the political situation in America and urged citizens to stand together and push back against Trump and his administration.

De Niro did not hide his feelings. He said he believes the country itself is at stake and accused Trump of harming America in ways he finds deeply troubling. Speaking openly, he said he does not fully understand Trump’s motivations but described the situation as disturbing and dangerous for the nation’s future. According to De Niro, Americans must take responsibility for protecting their democracy and work together to “save the country.”

The veteran actor went even further, calling Trump an enemy of the nation. He argued that Americans should not ignore what he sees happening politically and insisted that unity among citizens is the only way forward.

De Niro said people must come together, remove divisive leadership through democratic means, and focus on getting the country back on what he considers the right path.

Throughout the interview, De Niro repeatedly used the word “resist,” stressing that change would not happen automatically. He warned that even if Trump were no longer politically active, the movement and ideas surrounding him would still exist. That, he said, is what worries him the most the lasting influence of political division. In his view, ordinary people must remain engaged and active in order to counter those forces.

At several moments during the conversation, De Niro became emotional. When host Nicole Wallace praised him for always trying to encourage and support others, the actor appeared to choke up while explaining that unity and compassion are essential. He said leaders and citizens alike should focus on lifting people up rather than dividing them, adding that a country cannot succeed when its people are constantly turned against one another.

De Niro described the current political climate as feeling almost unavoidable, as if the nation had reached a difficult moment in its history. He said Americans now have a responsibility to defend democratic values and prevent what he believes could be long-term damage to the country.

This is far from the first time De Niro has publicly spoken out against Trump. In late 2025, he appeared in a political video released by activist group Indivisible, where he compared the current political struggle to America’s fight for independence from British rule centuries ago.

In that video, he argued that democracy has always required effort and sacrifice, warning against what he described as a leader seeking excessive power. He called on Americans to raise their voices peacefully and defend democratic principles.

De Niro’s comments continue a long pattern of outspoken political activism from the actor, who has frequently used interviews, speeches, and public appearances to express his concerns about the direction of American politics.

Supporters praise him for speaking boldly about issues he believes matter, while critics argue that celebrities should stay out of political debates. Regardless, his emotional podcast appearance shows how deeply he feels about the country’s future and the political divisions shaping it today.