The actor said, “I want to love my country again.”

Robert De Niro’s message for Donald Trump on his 80th birthday: ‘Shut the f--- up’

The actor said, "I want to love my country again."

By Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at **. He left EW in 2022.

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June 15, 2026 9:01 a.m. ET

Robert De Niro; Donald Trump. Credit:

Theo Wargo/Getty; Kevin Dietsch/Getty

- Robert De Niro told Donald Trump to "shut the f--- up."

- The comment came on the president's 80th birthday.

- De Niro wants to "love my country again."

On Donald Trump's 80th birthday on Sunday, Robert De Niro's present was a quote from one his iconic '80s movies.

While the president spent Sunday celebrating with UFC fighters at the White House, De Niro was speaking at the special Jane Fonda-hosted event Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment. And the *Goodfellas* star had a simple but effective message for Trump.

“When I hear Trump say, as he did a few days ago, ‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation, not even a little bit,’ I say, ‘Shut the f--- up,’” De Niro declared, an order that he memorably gave in 1988's *Midnight Run*.

A frequent vocal critic of Trump, De Niro decided that relaying those four words once wasn't enough, so he repeatedly had the New York City crowd join him in chanting, "Shut the f--- up."

De Niro's latest frustration came amid drastic price increases around the country, the result of the war in Iran. Last week, Trump gave a surprising take on the cost of living issue, saying, "I love the inflation."

“I hate to say it, but loving our country is starting to sound like an abused spouse saying they love their abuser,” De Niro said in response. "I can’t love a country that starts stupid and inhumane wars, killing thousands of innocents and indirectly causing the deaths and suffering of millions more. I can’t love a country that takes healthcare away from millions of people and uses that money to enrich their pals in the Trump-Epstein class. I can’t love a country that sends out masked militias to shoot citizens in the streets, torture our neighbors, and separate families."

He continued, "I can’t love a country that’s led by a racist, misogynist, xenophobic tyrant. And let me just say it: I can’t love the country that’s led by Donald Trump and his sycophant Congress.”

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De Niro has spoken out against Trump since the president's first term. Earlier this year, the legendary actor broke into tears when discussing the "divide" that he believes Trump is creating, even calling businessman-turned-politician "the enemy" of the United States.

“I want to love my country again," De Niro said on Sunday. "I want my country back.”

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