Robert De Niro made headlines at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where he received an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement. The 81-year-old actor used his acceptance speech to deliver a fiery political message, criticizing former President Donald Trump’s policies and urging global action to protect democracy. “We can’t just sit back and watch,” he declared, calling for passionate but nonviolent resistance. His remarks sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising his courage while others dismissed his comments as out of touch.

Accompanied by girlfriend Tiffany Chen and daughter Helen Grace, De Niro reflected on Cannes as a unifying force in a divided world. The two-time Oscar winner continues to balance family life with an active career, recently welcoming his seventh child in 2023. Despite his age, De Niro shows no signs of slowing down—whether through daring yacht jumps or acclaimed performances like his Oscar-nominated role in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” His Cannes appearance reaffirmed his status as both a cinematic legend and an outspoken advocate.