President Donald Trump launched a fierce social media attack following his State of the Union address on Feb. 25, targeting some of his most vocal celebrity critics, including Democratic representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as well as actor Robert De Niro and comedian Rosie O’Donnell.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to attack Omar and Tlaib during his speech. He called congresswomen “low IQ” and “mentally deranged”, suggesting they should be “institutionalized”. He further said that both politicians, who represent Minnesota and Michigan respectively, should be sent “back to where they came from” and that they “can only harm the United States.” Omar, who was born in Somalia, and Tlaib, who was born in Detroit to Palestinian parents, have both faced harsh criticism from Trump in the past, often related to their progressive policies and outspoken views.
The President’s comments did not stop there. He took a more pointed dig at actor Robert De Niro, who has long been a vocal critic of Trump. Trump accused the actor of having an “extremely low IQ” and engaging in “seriously criminal” behavior, writing, “Trump deranged another sick and deranged man, Robert De Niro.” Trump’s comments came after De Niro’s emotional speech during the State of the Union counter-event, where the actor expressed his feelings of betrayal by his country and called for a return to the values of the Constitution.
De Niro, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, particularly regarding the president’s rhetoric and policies, also made strong statements during the podcast appearance. “Trump is the enemy of this country, let’s not joke,” De Niro said, adding that the country needed to “take to the streets together” to reclaim the nation and get rid of Trump’s influence. He stressed the need for unity in protesting the President and emphasized that empathy and kindness are core American values.
Trump responded to De Niro’s speech by mocking his sentiments, comparing the actor to a child, and also mentioning Rosie O’Donnell, with whom he has had a long-standing public feud. Trump commented that O’Donnell, who is currently in Ireland, is “trying to figure out how to get back to our beautiful United States of America.” The President further said that O’Donnell was probably “somewhat smarter” than De Niro, although he added, “That’s not saying much.”
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump concluded his post by emphasizing his view of America’s current state, claiming that the country is “bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before”, adding that this success is “driving them absolutely crazy” – referring to his critics.
The tussle between the president and his opponents is shaping a tense political environment as both sides are locked in a battle over the future direction of the country. As Trump faces continued criticism from both politicians and celebrities, his supporters and critics alike are gearing up for the upcoming election cycle, with the rhetoric regarding his presidency becoming more intense.