Robert De Niro rallied Americans to join No Kings protests on Oct. 18, 2025. The 82-year-old actor urged citizens to reject “King Donald the First.” Nearly 7 million people attended protests across all 50 states. Organizers called it the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Oct. 9, 2025 – De Niro released video on Indivisible calling for protest participation
- 7 million – Estimated protesters who attended No Kings rallies nationwide on Oct. 18
- 2,700 events – Number of demonstrations held across United States, Canada, and Europe
- Hollywood support – Mark Ruffalo, Jimmy Kimmel, Glenn Close backed the movement
What De Niro Said About “King Donald”
Robert De Niro appeared in a video on Oct. 9 through Indivisible Project’s social media. The Goodfellas star referenced the American Revolution against King George III. He drew parallels between 250 years ago and today’s political climate.
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De Niro declared Americans fought a bloody war for democracy. He said the country preserved that democracy through two world wars. The actor then accused Trump of acting like a would-be monarch.
“Now we have a would-be king who wants to take it away: King Donald the First. Fuck that. We’re rising up again, this time, nonviolently raising our voices to declare: No Kings.”
The video reached millions across social platforms. Variety reported De Niro’s message resonated with protest organizers. His call to action urged Americans to stand up and be counted.
Why The Protests Drew Record Numbers
If you’re wondering why No Kings protests grew so massive, here’s the context. The June 2025 protests drew 5 million participants nationwide. October’s demonstrations added 2 million more people to that total.
ICE raids in major cities sparked outrage among demonstrators. National Guard deployments to Democratic-led cities fueled concerns about authoritarianism. Federal program cuts affected education and healthcare funding across states.
The government shutdown entered its third week during protests. 820,000 federal workers faced furloughs or firings. American Federation of Government Employees urged members to join marches nationwide.
The Celebrity Support Behind No Kings Movement
Here’s how Hollywood rallied behind the No Kings cause:
| Celebrity | Action | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Robert De Niro | Released mobilization video Oct. 9 | Indivisible TikTok, Instagram |
| Jimmy Kimmel | Posted satirical Trump nicknames for signs | Instagram Oct. 17 |
| Mark Ruffalo | Highlighted protests in Gainesville, Minneapolis, Philly | Threads Oct. 18 |
| John Cusack | Attended Chicago rally, gave interview | News 4 San Antonio |
| Bernie Sanders | Spoke at Washington D.C. demonstration | In-person appearance |
Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, John Legend, and Glenn Close also participated. Variety documented the widespread celebrity involvement. The entertainment industry unified behind the protest movement.
What Protesters Demanded At The Rallies
Demonstrators voiced specific concerns about constitutional rights. They opposed what they called authoritarian power grabs. Peaceful assembly remained the movement’s core principle throughout all 2,700 events.
- Immigration enforcement – Protesters opposed aggressive ICE raids that arrested 1,000+ people in Chicago alone
- Federal cuts – Demonstrators rallied against sweeping reductions to education and healthcare programs
- Military deployment – Crowds rejected National Guard presence in major metropolitan areas
- First Amendment rights – Protesters defended free speech amid alleged censorship attempts
House Speaker Mike Johnson called the protests a “hate America rally.” Republicans accused Democrats of prolonging the shutdown to coincide with demonstrations. TIME reported the government closure added urgency to the movement.
Will No Kings Protests Continue Beyond October?
The movement shows no signs of slowing down after Oct. 18. Organizers from Indivisible and labor unions plan ongoing demonstrations. Harvard Kennedy School research shows protests reaching deeper into Trump-voting areas than ever before.
Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg, co-founders of Indivisible, called the turnout historic. They emphasized Americans’ collective rejection of authoritarianism. The 50501 Movement coordinates future actions across all states.
Will Hollywood continue supporting the cause? De Niro proved celebrities can mobilize millions effectively. What’s your take on entertainers getting involved in politics?
Sources
- Variety – Coverage of celebrity involvement in No Kings protests (Oct. 18, 2025)
- NBC News – Live updates on nationwide demonstrations and attendance figures
- TIME – Analysis of No Kings movement and government shutdown context (Oct. 17, 2025)
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.
Anyone else catch De Niros fiery speech at the No Kings protest? Hes like a seasoned boxer taking on King Donald. Do celebrity voices really amplify these movements, or is it just a fleeting trend? What do you think?
Anyone else catch De Niros fiery speech against King Donald? Stirring up quite the storm! Wonder if celeb support will make waves or just fade out like last seasons trends. Thoughts?
Wasnt De Niro the dude who said You talkin to me? Now hes rallying against King Donald? Talk about a plot twist. Whos ready for this celebrity showdown?
Anyone else catch De Niros fiery speech at the No Kings protest? The mans got a way with words! Wonder if King Donald felt the heat from that one. What do you think about celebrities getting political?
De Niro at a protest? That mans always ready to drop some truth bombs, isnt he? Its like hes got a direct line to our thoughts and puts them out there for all to hear. But hey, when it comes to celebrities diving into politics, its a mixed bag, right? Some bring awareness, others stir the pot just for attention. Whats your take on stars crossing over into the political arena? Are they genuine or just looking for the spotlight? Lets stir that pot a bit!
Ever hear De Niros fiery speech at the No Kings protest? Wonder if actors should get political or stick to the script? Who else felt the intensity in his words against King Donald?
De Niro going off at the No Kings protest? Classic move, man. I mean, actors diving into politics, thats like mixing peanut butter and jelly, right? Some actors bring the heat, others should maybe stick to rehearsing lines. But hey, when youve got De Niros intensity, who can blame the guy for speaking out? King Donalds probably not a fan, thats for sure. But should actors be the voice of change, or is it all just a showbiz act? Who else is torn on this whole actors-getting-political thing? Whats your take on the De Niro showdown?
Anyone else catch De Niros fiery speech at the No Kings protest? The man doesnt hold back! Wonder how King Donald is taking all this heat. Whats your take on celebrities diving into politics?
Ever hear De Niros rallying cries against King Donald? Wonder if celeb support truly impacts these protests. Are they just bandwagoning, or is their influence real? Thoughts?
De Niros, huh? That guys got some fiery words, no doubt. Its like hes in a personal boxing match with King Donald, throwing verbal punches left and right. But does it really move the needle in these protests or is it just Hollywood hoopla? I mean, celebs hopping on the cause can bring attention, but does it add substance or just more noise? Whats your take on this whole celebrity activism circus? Are they genuine champions or just riding the wave for some spotlight action? Lets dive into this tangled web of star-powered protests and see where the truth lies. What say you?
Anyone else notice De Niros fiery speech at the No Kings rally? His words cut like a knife. Wonder if King Donald felt the heat. What do you think will come next in this celebrity-driven protest wave?