Stephen Colbert & Robert De Niro Take Aim at Trump in Fiery Live TV Exchange

 Late-night television got political once again this week as legendary actor Robert De Niro joined The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for a live appearance that quickly turned into a blistering takedown of former President Donald Trump. The segment, which aired unedited and unscripted, has since gone viral—fueling praise, outrage, and renewed debate over the role of celebrity voices in American politics.

The crowd erupted in applause as De Niro, long known for his harsh criticism of Trump, walked onto the stage. After a few jokes and light banter, Colbert steered the conversation into more serious territory, asking De Niro about the current state of American politics and the upcoming 2024 election.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again,” De Niro said, his tone firm. “Trump is a danger to this country. He’s not just a clown—he’s a threat to democracy. And if we don’t take that seriously, we’re going to regret it.”

Colbert nodded, responding, “There’s still a huge number of Americans who believe he’s the solution, not the problem. Why do you think that is?”

De Niro didn’t hold back. “Because they’re being lied to. Constantly. He’s a con man. He sold them a fantasy, and now they’re too deep in to admit they were duped.”

At that point, Colbert brought out a timeline of Trump’s post-presidency controversies—from ongoing legal battles to incendiary public statements—and asked De Niro which moment he found most alarming.

“All of it,” De Niro replied. “But especially the way he uses language to divide. He doesn’t lead—he manipulates. That’s not politics, that’s propaganda.”

The conversation drew cheers from the audience, but it also sparked an immediate backlash online. Conservative pundits and Trump supporters accused Colbert and De Niro of “elitist fearmongering,” while others praised them for using their platforms to speak out.

“This isn’t about politics anymore,” Colbert added near the end of the segment. “It’s about truth versus lies, democracy versus authoritarianism.”

De Niro, growing visibly emotional, finished the interview with a sobering thought: “If we let someone like that take power again, we deserve what we get. But I’m not going to be quiet while it happens.”

Clips of the exchange quickly circulated across social media, with the hashtag #DeNiroColbert trending within hours. Many fans and political commentators praised the pair for their boldness, while critics argued that the segment represented yet another instance of Hollywood overstepping its bounds.

Despite the backlash, both Colbert and De Niro remain unapologetic. In a post-show interview, Colbert stated, “I don’t care if it’s divisive—this is too important to ignore.”

Whether seen as heroes or agitators, Stephen Colbert and Robert De Niro made it clear they won’t be silenced—and as the election season heats up, their voices are likely to get louder.