Robert De Niro publicly attacked President Donald Trump after the 2024 election, calling him “the enemy of this country” and urging Americans to “resist” the president who, according to reports, won the 2024 election in a landslide victory, even declaring “It’s up to us to get rid of him.” This article examines that moment, why it matters to voters, and why calls from celebrities for resistance cross a line in a republic that prizes peaceful, legal change.
When a high-profile actor uses that kind of wording it demands attention, and De Niro did not mince words by calling Trump “the enemy of this country” and telling people to “resist.” Those are literal phrases that carry weight beyond a red-carpet rant, and they were delivered after an election outcome that should set the terms for political engagement. Words from the public square, especially from the famous, influence people and shape the mood of a country still healing from partisan wounds.
Here’s the plain truth from a conservative perspective: America runs on the rule of law and the ballot box, not celebrity outrage. The country just completed a democratic process and the result was decisive, with Trump taking victory in the 2024 election in a landslide victory. That settles who holds power under the Constitution, and the push from anyone—actor or activist—to treat an electoral result as illegitimate sets a dangerous precedent.
Freedom of speech protects De Niro’s right to say these things, but freedom is never a shield for rhetoric that invites disorder. There is a big difference between criticizing a president and framing him as an existential enemy whose removal is a matter of personal action. Telling people to “resist” while saying “It’s up to us to get rid of him” drifts toward encouraging resistance rather than civic participation, and that is worrying coming from someone with a megaphone.
Republicans value vigorous debate, but we also expect basic restraint from cultural influencers who can sway crowds. For the millions who voted for Trump, this kind of language reads as dismissive of their choice and their civic responsibility. When elites call the election result into question or cheer on resistance, they reveal a disconnect from ordinary Americans who navigate life without celebrity platforms and who prefer peaceful, lawful channels for change.
There is also a practical risk: inflammatory statements normalize political hostility and make compromise harder. If the conversation devolves into calling elected officials enemies and urging people to act outside institutions, governing becomes almost impossible. Conservatives argue that the right remedy for disagreement is politics—organize, advocate, and win back power at the ballot box—because that preserves both liberty and stability.
Finally, the optics matter for both the country and for those who claim to defend it. Celebrities have every right to speak up, but they trade on trust and influence that can be used constructively or destructively. Saying a president is “the enemy of this country” and telling followers to “resist” may score points with a fraction of audiences, but it also damages the civic fabric by inviting division instead of debate. Americans who want real change should focus on policy fights, elections, and lawful accountability rather than theatrical calls for removal that ignore democratic norms.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.