In a world where Hollywood celebrities regularly blur the lines between entertainment and political commentary, figures like Robert De Niro have taken it upon themselves to preach from their comfortable positions. At the recent premiere of Francis Ford Coppola’s film Megalopolis, De Niro made headlines for his quip about Donald Trump, imagining the former president directing a film and criticizing him for supposedly not being able to “hold anything together.” While the audience may have chuckled, it’s worth asking: can these Hollywood elites really speak for the everyday American?
De Niro, along with other actors who live in lavish mansions, often pay far less in taxes than many CEOs or small business owners. They belong to the very 1% that young people often criticize but rarely acknowledge. These celebrities, who command millions per film, can hardly relate to the average American who struggles with the cost of cereal, eggs, rent, and bus fare. How many of them understand the realities of holding down two or three jobs just to make ends meet?
It’s ironic for De Niro and his peers to lecture the rest of us about governance or economics when they live in a bubble so far removed from the daily struggles of working Americans. Their tax loopholes, special deals, and elite status shield them from the true economic burdens many face. Meanwhile, they stand on their soapboxes, pushing political messages while reaping the rewards of the very capitalist system they seem to disdain.
Celebrities like De Niro and Spike Lee, who also spoke at the event, are quick to tell Americans to “get out there and vote.” But do they really understand the frustration of the millions of Americans who feel their voices have been drowned out by elites in both Hollywood and Washington? These actors, despite their fame and influence, are disconnected from the struggles of everyday workers who worry about rent increases, healthcare costs, and dwindling job security.
Meanwhile, the films they produce, like Megalopolis, with its massive $120 million budget, reflect the kind of excess and detachment that’s becoming all too common in Hollywood. These are not the stories of everyday Americans trying to make a living, but of fantasies that further alienate their audience from the realities they face. And while De Niro and his colleagues might believe they’re advocating for change, their wealth and influence insulate them from the very hardships they claim to understand.
As we approach another election cycle, we’re reminded that it’s not Hollywood elites who should be shaping the future—it’s the hardworking American people. Those who know the value of a dollar, who understand the pain of rising costs, and who face the consequences of economic policies that Hollywood will never feel. It’s time we stop listening to actors who preach from their gilded towers and start focusing on the voices of everyday citizens who truly know what it means to work for a living.
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