Colbert and De Niro Deliver Sharp Critique of Trump in Late-Night Segment

NEW YORK — In a recent appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Robert De Niro, the Academy Award-winning actor known for his unflinching portrayals of complex characters, joined the host in a pointed discussion that revisited longstanding criticisms of President Trump. The segment, which aired amid ongoing political tensions, featured De Niro promoting his Netflix series “Zero Day” while weaving in reflections on American democracy and leadership.

Colbert, ever the deft interviewer, steered the conversation toward the topic of personal heroes. De Niro first named Marlon Brando, the iconic actor, and Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader. But when pressed for an American figure, De Niro turned somber, citing the Capitol Police officers who defended Congress during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot — officers like Michael Fanone, Aquilino Gonell, Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges.

“Those are the people I think of,” De Niro said, his voice measured but firm. The studio audience fell quiet, a rare moment of gravity on a show typically laced with humor.

Colbert followed up: “Can you imagine being one of those officers now, watching people who want to deny what happened that day march past you?” De Niro replied simply, “Yep, it’s something.” The exchange hung in the air for several seconds, an unspoken acknowledgment of the lingering divisions in American politics.

De Niro, 82, has been one of Hollywood’s most vocal critics of Trump for years, dating back to the 2016 campaign. He has called the president a “clown,” a “wannabe gangster” and, more recently, an “alien” who “wants to hurt this country.” His appearances outside Trump’s hush-money trial in 2024 and his campaigning for Democratic candidates underscored a pattern of direct engagement.

On Colbert’s stage, the critique was more subdued but no less cutting. Colbert, whose monologues have frequently skewered Trump’s rhetoric — often highlighting repetitions and exaggerations — used the moment to amplify De Niro’s point without overt bombast. In past segments, Colbert has mimicked Trump’s speaking style, repeating phrases like “the best” or “tremendous” in a deadpan loop to underscore their ubiquity. Though this episode focused on “Zero Day,” a thriller about a cyberattack crippling the nation, the parallels to real-world vulnerabilities were implicit.

The appearance quickly circulated online, with clips amassing millions of views on YouTube and social media platforms. Supporters praised it as a poignant reminder of Jan. 6’s toll on law enforcement, while detractors dismissed it as another celebrity intrusion into politics.

President Trump, known for monitoring late-night television closely, has in the past responded swiftly to such segments. He once celebrated news of Colbert’s show ending in 2026, tying it to broader media shifts. No immediate reaction to this particular episode was reported, but aides have noted the president’s habit of channel-surfing and posting on Truth Social in response to perceived slights.

De Niro’s history with Trump critiques goes beyond talk shows. At the 2018 Tony Awards, his unscripted “I’m gonna say one thing: Fuck Trump” drew a standing ovation and global headlines (though the expletive was bleeped for broadcast). More recently, viral clips — some falsely attributed to events like the 2025 Oscars — have resurfaced old footage, fueling misinformation debates.

Yet the Colbert interview stood out for its restraint. Rather than exaggeration, it relied on silence and specificity: naming officers, invoking service. Colbert, whose show has navigated declining late-night viewership amid cord-cutting and political fatigue, has leaned into such moments. His program, set to conclude in 2026 following Paramount’s settlement of a Trump-related lawsuit and merger considerations, has been a staple of liberal-leaning commentary.

Analysts see the segment as emblematic of a broader cultural rift. Late-night hosts like Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers have built audiences partly on Trump-era satire, but ratings have dipped as exhaustion sets in. Meanwhile, figures like De Niro embody Hollywood’s polarized stance — celebrated by one side, derided as elitist by the other.

In “Zero Day,” De Niro plays a former president investigating a national crisis. Art imitating life? He didn’t say. But as the credits rolled, the message lingered: boasts and slogans, when stripped bare, reveal little substance.

The clip’s viral spread underscored a familiar pattern — entertainment intersecting politics, amplified by social media. Whether it shifts opinions remains doubtful in an era of entrenched views. Still, for a brief prime-time moment, two New York institutions held up a mirror, and the reflection was unflattering.