Robert De Niro warned America that forgetting 9/11 could mean repeating history under a second Trump term. The comment sparked a sharp exchange on CBS Mornings.
Appearing on the morning show to promote his new Netflix documentary “Tribeca 25,” the 83‑year‑old actor linked the September 11 attacks to today’s political climate, saying the nation risked “repeating history” if it failed to remember the trauma. He argued that the memory of that day should not be lost to future generations.
Host Gayle King asked whom he hoped would view the film, noting its importance for keeping the story alive; De Niro replied that his teenage daughter “doesn’t really understand” and that reminding people of recent events was essential. He stressed that younger viewers needed a clear reminder of what happened.
He added that generations currently living through the “whole political situation” were at risk of forgetting what happened, a thinly veiled reference to the current administration. De Niro warned that complacency could lead the country down a dangerous path.
De Niro’s criticism of Donald Trump is long‑standing; he shouted “F*ck Trump” at the 2018 Tony Awards, demanded the president’s impeachment and imprisonment at the 2019 American Icon Awards, and lectured on “abuse of power” at the 2020 SAG Awards. Each outburst reinforced his reputation as a relentless Trump antagonist.
In a 2024 appearance on “The View,” he compared Trump to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, warning that a second Trump term could trigger “civil strife,” prompting producers to cut his microphone repeatedly. The remarks underscored his willingness to invoke historic dictators to score political points.
Trump has not stayed silent, labeling De Niro a “very low IQ individual” who “took too many shots to the head by real boxers in movies,” a jab that underscores the actor’s relentless political assault. The exchange highlighted the ongoing feud between the president and his most vocal celebrity critic.
By equating post‑9/11 trauma with life under a second Trump term, De Niro turned a memorial discussion into another direct attack on the president, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most vocal Hollywood critics. The statement blended remembrance with partisan criticism, ensuring the controversy would dominate headlines.
