Robert De Niro, once one of Hollywood’s most respected and bankable stars, is now facing the consequences of his outspoken political views, which have seemingly led to a sharp decline in his career.

With over 82 films and two prestigious Oscars under his belt, De Niro could have easily cemented his place among the greatest actors in cinema history.

However, it was his own reckless remarks about politics that started to unravel everything he had built, leading to an empire’s collapse, box office disasters, and personal turmoil.

The downfall began with a single sentence in June 2024, when De Niro recorded a video message about the presidential election.

In the video, he made an outrageous and inflammatory comment about Donald Trump, calling him a “punk,” “a dog,” “a pig,” and a “con artist,” before saying, “I’d like to punch him in the face.”

The video went viral, garnering millions of views, with many seeing it as a brave stance against the controversial former president.

De Niro, who had long been regarded as a cinematic titan, was celebrated for standing up to Trump.

But this time, his words would prove to have a lasting impact, both professionally and personally.

De Niro’s reputation had once been untouchable.

With iconic roles in *Goodfellas*, *The Godfather*, *Taxi Driver*, and *Raging Bull*, he had built a legacy that allowed him the freedom to say whatever he wanted.

However, his continued political outbursts, especially one at the Tony Awards, where he declared “F*** Trump!” from the stage, seemed to mark a turning point.

While the audience reacted with a standing ovation, the public’s support was not guaranteed forever.

His attacks on Trump became sharper and more frequent, and a backlash soon followed.

The first sign of trouble came just weeks after the rally.

De Niro, who had spent decades as one of Hollywood’s most influential figures, found that the industry was turning its back on him.

Studio executives, who once revered him, started dodging his calls.

His longtime agent, Paul, expressed concern, citing the current “weird climate” and the backlash from De Niro’s anti-Trump comments.

But De Niro, ever defiant, dismissed it, claiming he was merely speaking the truth.

Things only worsened with the release of *The Alto Knights*, a $45 million film where De Niro played two mobsters in one project.

The film, highly anticipated, was expected to revive his fading career.

However, it was a massive failure, grossing just $3.2 million on its opening weekend and leaving the studio with a $40 million loss, not counting marketing expenses.

The film was savaged by critics and audiences alike, with many mocking De Niro’s performance.

The failure of *The Alto Knights* wasn’t just a bad weekend at the box office; it was a devastating blow to De Niro’s credibility and reputation as a top-tier actor.

Despite his best efforts to defend the film and its merits, including blaming the failure on the political climate and Trump’s supporters, the damage was done.

De Niro’s tirades became a spectacle in themselves, with social media users mocking his outbursts and condemning his increasingly out-of-touch behavior.

His public image, once a symbol of artistic integrity, had now become synonymous with political rants.

By 2025, the numbers were undeniable.

A poll revealed that 62% of Americans now viewed De Niro unfavorably, a sharp decline from the 78% approval rating he had just a decade earlier.

His films, which once dominated streaming platforms, were now seeing plummeting viewership.

His legacy of classics like *Goodfellas* and *Raging Bull* had been overshadowed by his increasingly controversial remarks.

The final blow came when Warner Brothers decided to cut ties with him, citing his declining box office draw and the damage his outspoken political views were doing to their bottom line.

The studio had pulled him from multiple upcoming projects, including a $20 million mob movie and a role in *Joker 3*.

For a man who had once been one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, this was a stunning fall from grace.

De Niro’s frustration was palpable as he reflected on his career and the choices that had led to his downfall.

The public’s rejection of him was not just about politics—it was about his inability to adapt to a changing world.

His fixation on Trump and his relentless rants had turned him into a liability rather than a respected figure.

His own words and actions had alienated the very audience that had once adored him.

The personal toll was just as severe.

His family life, already strained, began to fall apart.

On March 20, 2025, De Niro’s ex-wife, Grace, called him with a panicked voice, telling him that their children were receiving threatening letters.

The hate mail, including messages about his youngest daughter, sent De Niro into a spiral of guilt and fear.

His actions had put his loved ones in danger, and the weight of this realization was crushing.

His professional and personal life continued to deteriorate.

On March 25, he received the final blow—he was officially cut from a major project, a $20 million mob boss movie, a role that had promised to bring him back to his roots.

The words “you’re too risky” from the studio CEO stung deeply.

The rejection wasn’t just from Hollywood executives—it was from an industry that had once elevated him to the highest ranks.

De Niro’s fall from grace is a tragic tale of a titan undone by his own decisions.

His obsession with politics, his inability to adapt to a changing cultural landscape, and his relentless pursuit of attention through rants and controversy have cost him everything.

Once a king of Hollywood, De Niro is now a cautionary tale of how unchecked ego and public outbursts can lead to a slow and painful downfall.