Stephen Miller, former Homeland Security Adviser under President Trump, launched a fierce attack on actor Robert De Niro, condemning the 82-year-old star’s body of work over the past 30 years. The dispute escalated after De Niro called Miller a Nazi during an MSNBC interview, sparking a heated debate about the quality of De Niro’s recent films.
Robert De Niro’s Harsh Words on Stephen Miller during MSNBC Interview
During a televised interview on MSNBC, De Niro expressed doubt that Donald Trump would leave office willingly after his term ended. He added a scathing comparison between Miller and Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. De Niro declared,
No way! We see it, we see it, we see it all the time — he will not want to leave. He set it up with, I guess he’s the Goebbels of the cabinet, Stephen Miller. He’s a Nazi. Yes, he is, and he’s Jewish, and he should be ashamed of himself!
— Robert De Niro
Stephen Miller’s Rebuke of De Niro’s Career on Fox News
Reacting to De Niro on Fox News, Miller dismissed the actor’s recent work, calling much of it a string of failures. He stated,
(De Niro) has not made a movie worth watching in at least 30 years. Probably the longest string of flops. Failures, embarrassments. This man has been degrading himself on camera with one horrific film after another for my entire adult life, and he’s not taken seriously by anybody, not by his family, not by friends, not his community. He’s a shell of a man, and everyone disregards everything he says.
— Stephen Miller
Fans Debate De Niro’s Film Legacy amid the Controversy
The fierce exchange between Miller and De Niro ignited passionate debates among cinephiles about the actor’s filmography since the early 1990s. Despite Miller’s harsh critique, many argue that De Niro has continued to deliver memorable performances in notable films over the past three decades.
An incomplete list of some prominent Robert De Niro films from this period includes: Casino (1995), Heat (1995), Marvin’s Room (1996), Cop Land (1997), Jackie Brown (1997), Wag the Dog (1997), Ronin (1998), Meet the Parents (2000), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), Joker (2019), The Irishman (2019), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).
Opinions on these movies vary widely. Some praise Casino and Heat as classics, while others feel that films like Cop Land and The Irishman fell short of expectations. The Joker received notable acclaim, contrasting with the lukewarm reception for others such as Silver Linings Playbook and Killers of the Flower Moon.
De Niro’s Earlier Films Often Viewed as Career High Points
Many consider De Niro’s performances in Goodfellas and The Godfather Part II as peaks in his career, with both films released well before the most recent 30-year period. These earlier roles remain benchmarks for his acting legacy, placing his more recent films under heavier scrutiny.
Ongoing Debate Highlights Tensions Over De Niro’s Place in Film and Politics
This confrontation between Miller and De Niro reflects broader cultural and political divisions, with the actor’s outspoken criticism of Trump’s administration clashing with Miller’s staunch defense. The discussion has intensified debates not only about De Niro’s political views but also about the artistic merit of his recent work, illustrating the complex intersection between entertainment and politics in public discourse.
As the disagreement continues, it remains to be seen how this clash will influence the public’s perception of Robert De Niro films debated and how political figures will engage with cultural icons moving forward.
