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Robert De Niro became visibly emotional calling Donald Trump the “enemy of this country” at the State of the Swamp event. The 82-year-old Oscar-winning actor gave a raw, teary-eyed plea at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on February 24, 2026. His passionate speech urging Americans to mobilize against the president sparked immediate reactions across Hollywood and politics.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Event Location: National Press Club in Washington, D.C., February 24, 2026
- De Niro’s Core Message: “Trump is the enemy of this country, let’s not kid ourselves”
- Emotional Moment: The 82-year-old actor’s voice cracked and eyes watered during podcast interview discussion
- Call to Action: De Niro urged voters to mobilize for midterm elections and peaceful protest
An Oscar Winner’s Tears of Betrayal
Robert De Niro took the stage at the State of the Swamp event with one unmistakable message. The legendary actor, known for roles in Goodfellas and Taxi Driver, expressed profound emotional anguish about the state of the nation. He stated: “I feel betrayed by my country. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does need to return to the values that gave us our strength and humanity.” His words resonated with an audience gathered just over a mile from the U.S. Capitol Building.
De Niro emphasized the gravity of the moment, calling for national unity and immediate action. “If you’re devoted to the Constitution and the rule of law, be ready to take the streets together, and we will take our country back,” he declared. His previous podcast appearance on The Best People with Nicolle Wallace showed him becoming visibly tearful when discussing America’s future.
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The “Enemy of This Country” Statement
During his February 23 podcast interview, De Niro made headlines with his blunt assessment. “Trump is the enemy of this country, let’s not kid ourselves. It’s that simple,” the actor said firmly. He continued with urgency: “Everybody has to stick together to get them out and get back on track. We can all argue and fight about our little differences and all that.” De Niro framed the issue as transcending normal political disagreements.
The actor’s conviction was palpable when asked about Trump leaving office after his second term in 2029. “No way. He won’t leave. Let’s not kid ourselves. He. Will. Not. Leave. It’s up to us to get rid of him,” De Niro stated emphatically. His forecast was stark: “He’s going to ruin the country. People have to mobilize now and be ready for the midterms.”
Star-Studded Resistance at National Press Club
The State of the Swamp event brought together prominent voices in opposition to the current administration. Mark Ruffalo, the Marvel actor, joined De Niro on stage. Author and activist Marianne Williamson also delivered remarks. The counter-programming event took place as President Trump delivered his State of the Union address inside the Capitol.
| Event Detail | Information |
| Event Name | State of the Swamp |
| Location | National Press Club, Washington, D.C. |
| Date | February 24, 2026 |
| Key Speakers | De Niro, Ruffalo, Williamson |
“You have to lift people up. You have to bring them together, period. You can’t divide people. You can’t win that way. It’s a no-win situation. It’s almost like our destiny to have this thing there attempting to destroy this country.”
— Robert De Niro, on MS NOW podcast
Trump’s Harsh Response and De Niro’s Vision for America
President Trump wasted no time responding to De Niro’s criticism. On Truth Social, he called the actor “sick and demented” with an “extremely Low IQ.” The president mocked De Niro’s emotional reaction: “When I watched him break down in tears last night, much like a child would do, I realized that he may be even sicker than Crazy Rosie O’Donnell.” The White House Communications Director echoed these attacks, calling De Niro a “washed-up has-been.”
Despite the harsh condemnation, De Niro remained steadfast in his message about American patriotism. “I want my country back,” he declared passionately. “I don’t want everybody going around with their MAGA flags and American flags like they’re the only ones. We are Americans, too. And there are more of us because we believe in what’s right and wrong, empathy, and kindness. Bringing the country together, not dispersing it.” His vision emphasized unity over division and constitutional values.
Will This Moment Change American Political Discourse?
De Niro’s emotional plea raised a central question: can celebrity activism drive meaningful political engagement? The Oscar-winning actor expressed deep concern that even if Trump leaves office, “parts of that movement are still there, and that’s the scary part.” He believes the responsibility falls on ordinary Americans to defend democracy through peaceful protest and voting.
With his State of the Swamp speech reaching millions, De Niro aimed to galvanize voters for 2026 midterm elections. His tearful performance underscored the emotional weight many Americans feel about current events. Whether his message resonates in swing districts and key voting blocs remains to be seen, but his willingness to be publicly vulnerable signaled that the stakes feel existential to Hollywood’s political voices.
Sources
- USA Today – Robert De Niro condemns Trump, says he feels ‘betrayed by my country’ at State of the Swamp
- The Hollywood Reporter – Robert De Niro Tears Up Over Trump in Raw Interview discussing constitutional rights
- Variety – De Niro Calls Trump ‘enemy of this country’ during political mobilization speech
