At the Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro drew headlines not only for receiving the honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement but for making a bold political statement that reverberated far beyond the red carpet.

The legendary actor, director, and producer, now 87, was honored during the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2025. But his moment in the spotlight wasn’t limited to the award itself—De Niro used his acceptance speech to take aim at former President Donald Trump in a pointed and passionate address.

Arriving at the Palais des Festivals, De Niro was joined by his 45-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, and his daughter, Helen Grace. The family made a striking appearance, and the milestone moment was made even more significant by the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio presented him with the award. It was a full-circle moment, as De Niro had served as Jury President at the same festival back in 2011.

In my country, we are fighting like [expletive] for the democracy we once took for granted,” De Niro began, his tone serious. “That affects all of us here because the arts are democratic.”

Without naming Trump outright at first, he made his target clear by referencing recent developments in the U.S. political and cultural landscape. “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions,” he said, pointing to Trump’s appointment as chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.