Trump and De Niro's Feud Escalates After Emotional Criticism

The long-running clash between the president and the Oscar-winning actor reaches new heights following De Niro's comments on Trump's leadership.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The political back-and-forth between President Donald Trump and actor Robert De Niro has been building for nearly a decade, but the war of words reached a fever pitch after De Niro's emotional public criticisms around Trump's 2026 State of the Union address. Trump fired back, calling De Niro "deranged" and with a "low IQ", while De Niro described the president as "the enemy of this country" who is "attempting to destroy this country."

Why it matters

The ongoing feud between Trump and De Niro highlights the deep political divisions in the US, with the two public figures representing starkly different views on the president's leadership and the direction of the country. As a high-profile clash between a sitting president and a renowned Hollywood actor, the story also speaks to the increasingly partisan nature of American politics and culture.

The details

In a February 2026 appearance on the MS NOW podcast "The Best People", De Niro became emotional as he criticized Trump, saying "Trump is the enemy of this country" and that "it's up to us to protect the country." Trump later responded on Truth Social, calling De Niro "deranged" and with a "low IQ." The feud dates back years, with De Niro previously calling Trump a "racist" and a "white supremacist," while Trump has accused De Niro of being "punch-drunk" from his acting roles.

  • In February 2026, De Niro gave a speech titled "State of the Swamp" in counterprogram to Trump's State of the Union address.
  • In the days after De Niro's podcast appearance, Trump responded with his criticism on Truth Social.

The players

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old former president of the United States, known for his controversial statements and feuds with public figures.

Robert De Niro

The acclaimed 82-year-old Oscar-winning actor, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump and his presidency.

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What they’re saying

“Trump is the enemy of this country, let's not kid ourselves. It's that simple.”

— Robert De Niro, Actor (MS NOW's 'The Best People' podcast)

“Trump Deranged Robert De Niro [is] another sick and demented person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ, who has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying — some of which is seriously CRIMINAL!”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.