Robert De Niro condemns Trump, says he feels 'betrayed by my country'

Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYThu, February 26, 2026 at 2:01 AM UTC

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While headlining a counter program to the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Robert De Niro gave an emotional plea to Americans to mobilize against President Donald Trump in the upcoming midterm election.

"I feel betrayed by my country," he said during the "State of the Swamp" at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24. "It doesn't have to be perfect, but it does need to return to the values that gave us our strength and humanity."

Taking place just over a mile from Trump's union address inside the U.S. Capitol Building, the "State of the Swamp" welcomed names like "Avengers" alum Mark Ruffalo and author Marianne Williamson.

De Niro said in his Tuesday speech that mobility is required to keep leaders accountable during the Trump administration. "If you're devoted to the Constitution and the rule of law, if you want the United States of America to be worthy of your love, be ready to take the streets together, and we will take our country back," the actor added.

Robert De Niro speaks during the "State of the Swamp," a Democratic-led counter-programming during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Organizers for the "State of the Swamp" included anti-Trump group Defiance.org, artist-activist coalition Portland Frog Brigade and advocacy media network Courier.

Donald Trump responds to Robert De Niro criticism

Trump took to Truth Social on Feb. 25 to call De Niro "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!"

"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," Trump added.

In a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday, Feb. 25, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung called De Niro a "washed-up has-been who hasn't been relevant in 30 years."

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"Now, he just beclowns himself by spewing hate speech and inciting violence against others. Instead of embarrassing himself every time he speaks, he should seek immediate treatment for a debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his peanut sized brain," Cheung said.

1 / 0See Democrats protest at Trump's State of the Union

(L/R) US Representatives Ilhan Omar, Democrat from Minnesota, and Rashida Tlaib, Democrat from Michigan, shout as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026.

Robert De Niro says Trump is the 'enemy of this country'

In a Feb. 23 episode of "The Best People" podcast, the "Goodfellas" actor, 82, called Trump the "enemy of this country" and encouraged voters to stay focused on "the big problem."

"Let's not kid ourselves," he told host Nicolle Wallace. "It's that simple. 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."

The "Taxi Driver" star also said there is "no way" the president would leave office after his second term ends in 2029. "He. Will. Not. Leave. It’s up to us to get rid of him. We have to make sure," he said. "We’ve got to get rid of him. He’s going to ruin the country. People have to mobilize now and be ready for the midterms."

Through peaceful protesting and midterm voting, De Niro wants Trump critics to express patriotism, adding, "I want my country back."

"I don't want everybody going around with their MAGA flags and American flags like they're the only ones," he added. "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."

Contributing: Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert De Niro tears up, urging Americans to 'get rid of' Trump

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