According to PWInsider, Robert De Niro, known for his reserved nature in interviews, has recently vocalized his strong disapproval of Donald Trump and his supporters in no uncertain terms. In an interview with The Guardian, the veteran actor expressed his concerns about the political state of the United States and the anxiety caused by Trump’s actions and the responses of those around him.
De Niro likened the impact of Trump’s presidency to that of an abusive parent ruling over a household, extending the metaphor to the entire country. He highlighted the feeling of unpredictability surrounding Trump’s actions, questioning whether his behavior is simply intended to agitate and sow unhappiness among the people.
Speaking about his character in his upcoming movie “Killers of the Flower Moon,” De Niro drew parallels between his role and the former president, emphasizing the responsibility of a leader to guide even when faced with opposition. He underscored the significance of personal integrity and moral clarity in leadership, qualities he believes Trump lacks.
De Niro expressed his dismay over how someone like Trump could ascend so far within the political system. He noted that many New Yorkers had already recognized Trump’s shortcomings, but it was disheartening to witness the nation gravitating towards his rhetoric. De Niro underscored the fragility of the political landscape, emphasizing how easily the sentiment of the country can shift. He critiqued Trump’s lack of foresight and stated that he believes Trump should never be allowed near the country’s leadership again.
“The political situation we’re in in my country, it is crazy and absurd – we lost control. I see the phenomenon of Trump, the phenomenon of people not standing up to him, people who ought to know better… They’re causing great concern in the country and a lot of anxiety. I feel like since he’s come on the scene – even after being president – it’s like when an abusive parent rules a household, only it’s not just one household it’s the whole country. We’re like, ‘What’s this guy going to do next? What’s he going to aggravate us about? Is he just doing this to aggravate people? To make people unhappy? Maybe he is.
One of the main tasks of being a leader, the responsibility, is to lead. Even when the masses are turning in a certain the direction, you have to show them the right way. And that comes down to personal integrity, what you know is right and what you know to be wrong, what you stand for.”
He said Trump is “doing whatever he can to be the boss. He just wants to be in charge. He has no moral centre.”
“It upsets me so much that somebody like him could get so far in our political system. Many New Yorkers were on to what a fool he is, a joke. But when the country started buying it? I mean, he didn’t win by much. He didn’t win the popular vote. She won. But look what happened. What’s scary is it’s such a fragile thing, to swing like that. And the odd thing about Trump is that if he had any brains he could have become president again. But he doesn’t care. He did stupid things. He’s not somebody who should ever be allowed close to leadership in this country again.”
In this candid interview, De Niro passionately conveyed his deep concern for the state of the nation, highlighting the importance of principled leadership and the potential consequences of allowing individuals without moral integrity to hold positions of power.
