Hollywood actor Robert De Niro publicly stated he cannot love the United States while Donald Trump serves as president, delivering harsh criticism of the administration during a First Amendment protest concert in New York City on June 16, 2026.

Fiery Speech at Protest Concert

Speaking at the Rise Up, Sing Out concert held at Town Hall in Manhattan, the 82-year-old acting legend told the crowd that loving America under current leadership resembles an abused spouse defending their abuser. De Niro listed multiple grievances, stating he cannot love a country that starts wars killing thousands, strips healthcare from millions to enrich the wealthy, deploys masked militias against citizens, and operates under what he called a racist, misogynist, xenophobic tyrant. The audience responded with sustained applause and cheers throughout his remarks.

The actor specifically targeted Congress alongside Trump, condemning what he described as sycophantic lawmakers enabling the administration’s policies. De Niro referenced policies involving family separations, citizen shootings in streets, and torture of neighbors as reasons for his current inability to express patriotic love. His comments represented his most definitive public statement against the administration to date, going beyond previous criticism delivered at a Washington protest event in February.

From Patriot to Protester

De Niro emphasized his previous deep love for America, crediting the nation with welcoming his immigrant ancestors and providing extraordinary freedoms and opportunities for generations of his family. The actor expressed his desire to love his country again, framing his protest involvement as part of efforts to reclaim the America he once cherished. He called on fellow citizens to organize, rise up, and work together toward restoring the nation he believes has been lost under current leadership.

Celebrity Resistance Continues

The protest concert supporting First Amendment rights attracted activists and performers concerned about free speech protections. De Niro has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most vocal Trump critics, regularly appearing at resistance events and using his platform to challenge administration policies. His June remarks escalated beyond his February statements, which posed rhetorical questions about loving a country with government violence and healthcare denial. Sunday’s speech removed ambiguity, with De Niro flatly declaring his inability to love America under Trump’s presidency. The event aired on CSPAN Networks, broadcasting his message beyond the Town Hall venue to national audiences.