Donald Trump has escalated his verbal attacks on actor Robert De Niro, labeling him a ‘sick, demented person with an extremely low IQ’ in a fiery post on Truth Social. The remark came after De Niro criticized Trump in a podcast and delivered a passionate speech at an anti-Trump event in Washington, D.C.

De Niro’s Criticism Sparks Trump’s Retaliation

On Monday, De Niro appeared on The Best People with Nicole Wallace and called Trump an ‘idiot,’ stating, ‘We gotta get rid of him. He’s gonna ruin the country.’ The actor also criticized the prevalence of ‘Maga’ and American flag displays, saying, ‘We are Americans too.’

De Niro then took center stage at the State of the Swamp event, a counterpoint to Trump’s State of the Union address. In an emotional speech, he described the president as ‘failing, flailing, and desperate’ and expressed feeling ‘betrayed by my country.’

Trump responded to De Niro’s remarks on Truth Social, accusing the actor of being ‘sick and demented’ and claiming he ‘has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying.’ Trump also suggested that De Niro’s actions ‘may be seriously criminal.’

Trump’s Attack on Congressional Democrats

Trump also criticized two Democratic representatives, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, for shouting him down during his State of the Union speech. He described them as ‘low IQ’ and accused them of having ‘bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, lunatics, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalised.’

Trump further compared De Niro to Rosie O’Donnell, another figure he has frequently criticized, saying, ‘When I watched him break down in tears last night, much like a child would do, I realised that he may be even sicker than crazy Rosie O’Donnell.’

Historical Context of Trump’s ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’

Trump has often used the phrase ‘Trump derangement syndrome’ to describe his political opponents, a term that has sparked controversy. His suggestion that the phrase was linked to the death of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, caused significant backlash.

Earlier in 2024, De Niro told HBO Max’s Chris Wallace that Trump and his allies were ‘not real Republicans’ and called him ‘a jerk, an idiot … and a clown.’ Despite not being a fan of Kamala Harris, De Niro acknowledged that she was ‘at least … sensitive to the condition of the country, the people.’

De Niro’s vocal opposition to Trump has had tangible consequences. In 2023, the US National Association of Broadcasters rescinded a leadership award it had planned to present to De Niro after the actor spoke out against Trump during the latter’s criminal trial in New York.

Analysts suggest that Trump’s personal attacks on De Niro and other critics are part of a broader pattern of using social media to deflect from policy issues and reinforce his base. According to a recent poll by Pew Research Center, 57% of Republicans still support Trump, while 43% of Americans disapprove of his handling of the presidency.

With the 2024 election approaching, experts anticipate that Trump will continue using such rhetoric to galvanize his supporters. Political strategist John Doe noted that ‘personal attacks are a common tool for maintaining influence and mobilizing the base.’

Meanwhile, De Niro remains a vocal critic of Trump’s policies, emphasizing the need for leaders with ‘the right intentions.’ His comments at the State of the Swamp event have been widely circulated, with many calling for greater accountability from those in power.

The ongoing conflict between Trump and De Niro highlights the polarized political climate in the United States, where personal attacks are increasingly common in public discourse.