Robert De Niro says if US was a film it would be a ‘tragic, dumb-ass comedy’
Two-time Oscar winner last seen in Dirty Grandpa has emerged as a vocal critic of President Trump
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Robert De Niro has said that if the US was a movie it would now be a “tragic, dumb-ass comedy”.
The two-time Oscar-winning actor and vocal Donald Trump critic said his nation had descended to this point having been an “inspiring, uplifting drama” just four years ago.
De Niro, 73, was welcomed with applause and laughter as he made the remarks in a speech to graduating students at Brown University in the New England state of Rhode Island.
“The country has gone crazy. In movie terms, when you started school the country was an inspiring, uplifting drama,” he said on Sunday.
“You are graduating intro a tragic, dumb-ass comedy.”
He also urged the students to make a better world and to “work to stop the insanity” as he was handed an honorary fine arts degree.
De Niro has been a persistent critic of the US president and even said he wanted to punch the Republican in the face during his election campaign.
The actor also said earlier this month that Mr Trump was hampering the arts and that his immigration policy might keep out the next Charlie Chaplin.
The British star was “an immigrant who probably wouldn't pass today's 'extreme vetting',” he said.
Copyright Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments