Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts blast Trump at anti-White House concert, same night as UFC event

WASHINGTON, DC: While President Donald Trump hosted a UFC event on the White House lawn, actor Robert De Niro took direct aim at him from a New York stage, calling the president a “racist, misogynist, xenophobic tyrant”.

The remarks came during a free speech event ‘Rise up, sing out: A concert for the First Amendment’ in New York City, where several Hollywood stars, including Julia Roberts, expressed their views.

Robert De Niro targets Trump from New York stage

De Niro delivered some of the night’s sharpest criticism while speaking about free speech and politics.

“I’m pretty close to being a free speech absolutist. Even speech I don’t like. But when I hear something I don’t like, I use my own free speech to respond,” he said.

The actor then referenced Trump directly, saying, “When I hear Trump say, ‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation.’ I say, ‘shut the f**k up.’”

De Niro went on to broaden his criticism beyond a single remark.

“I hate to say it, but loving our country is starting to sound like an abused spouse saying they love their abuser,” he said.

The Oscar winner also argued that he could not support a country that “starts stupid and inhumane wars,” “takes healthcare away from millions of people,” and is “led by Donald Trump and his sycophant Congress.”

He ended that section of his speech by declaring, “I can’t love a country that’s led by a racist, misogynist, xenophobic tyrant.”

Julia Roberts honors Renee Nicole Good

De Niro was not the only Hollywood figure criticizing the political climate during the New York gathering.

Actor Julia Roberts honored Renee Nicole Good, saying, “Renee Nicole Good is not a symbol. She is an American woman, a queer woman who was doing the very best she could do to be good in an unjust world.”

She added, “I am honored to celebrate her life and her legacy tonight, because the life she gave is our responsibility to carry.”

Trump celebrates UFC spectacle at White House

The criticism unfolded as Trump presided over a high-profile UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House.

The president attended the event alongside UFC chief Dana White, members of the Trump family and administration officials. Trump praised the event as “the greatest show on Earth”.

Back in New York, Roberts urged the audience not to tune out political developments despite growing fatigue.

“We all feel like, ‘I can’t turn the news on. I don’t want to hear it,’” she said. “But we have to hear it. We have to face it.”

“But if we keep inhaling and exhaling, we will prevail,” Roberts added.

The competing scenes—a UFC celebration at the White House and a celebrity-led First Amendment event in New York—underscored the continuing political divide surrounding Trump’s presidency, with Hollywood critics showing no sign of easing their public opposition.