The long-running feud between Donald Trump and acclaimed actor Robert De Niro has flared up again, with Trump launching a scathing attack on the Oscar winner. Taking to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, Trump described De Niro as "sick and demented" with an "extremely Low IQ," and accused him of saying things that are "seriously CRIMINAL!" He also mocked the actor for crying "like a child" at a recent event.

Trump's latest verbal volley comes after De Niro made headlines earlier in the week. On Monday, February 24, 2026, De Niro appeared on Nicole Wallace's "The Best People" podcast, where he called Trump "an idiot." The next day, on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, the veteran actor headlined a "State of the Swamp" event at the National Press Club. This event, organized to counter Trump's State of the Union address, saw De Niro describe the Trump administration as a group of "dishonest, greedy and cruel authoritarians" and Trump himself as a "failing, flailing, and desperate leader."

The public animosity between the two prominent figures dates back to 2011 when De Niro criticized Trump's questioning of then-President Barack Obama's citizenship. Over the years, De Niro has consistently voiced strong opposition to Trump, famously stating in 2016 he'd like to "punch him in the face" and in 2019 telling The Guardian that he "can't wait to see him in jail." Trump has reciprocated, previously calling De Niro "not the brightest bulb on the planet" in 2011 and a "very LOW IQ individual" who was "punch drunk" in 2018. In his most recent tirade, Trump even compared De Niro to comedian Rosie O'Donnell, suggesting O'Donnell was "probably somewhat smarter" than the actor.