HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: A viral post circulating on social media claims that Robert De Niro used an expletive against President Donald Trump during his speech at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2.
The video attached to the post shows the 81-year-old actor saying, “I’m going to say one thing, f**k Trump!” and receiving loud cheers from the audience.
Fact Check: Video of Robert De Niro swearing at Donald Trump is from 2018 Tony Awards
The video which quickly gained traction on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook on March 2 is from the 2018 Tony Awards, not the 2025 Oscars.
In June 2018, the ‘Taxi Driver’ actor took the stage at the 72nd Annual Tony Awards to introduce Bruce Springsteen.
During his speech, De Niro famously said, “It’s no longer down with Trump. It’s f**k Trump.” His statement was met with applause, cheers, and a standing ovation.
The moment became one of the most talked-about incidents of the evening. Although CBS, the broadcaster of the 2018 Tony Awards, censored the expletive for US television audiences, international broadcasts showed the uncensored version.
The “Tony Awards” banner is also visible behind De Niro in the widely circulated video.
Moreover, De Niro reportedly was not present at the 97th Academy Awards. There is no evidence or record of the actor making a similar statement at the 2018 Academy Awards.
Robert De Niro continues to be a vocal critic of Donald Trump
Robert De Niro has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump for several years. In March 2024, the actor called the president a “total monster” and has consistently spoken out against him in interviews and public appearances.
Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, De Niro described Trump as a “clown” and warned that if reelected, the MAGA spearhead could become a “dictator for life.” However, despite his strong views against Trump, the viral video is not a new instance of De Niro speaking out about the president.
