In the swirling currents of political discourse, one rumour about Hollywood icon Robert De Niro has captivated the attention of social media. The claim?

That De Niro would abandon the U.S. should Donald Trump reclaim the presidency in 2024.

Amidst the fervent political climate, a Facebook post by @The Patriots Network set the digital stage ablaze by claiming that Robert De Niro had decided to flee the United States.

According to the post, the actor was supposedly disillusioned by a « massive red wave » accompanying Trump’s hypothetical victory, signaling a dramatic shift in the national landscape.

The post even went as far as to attribute a fabricated quote to De Niro: « Not worth living here now. » This quote, despite its conviction, was quickly flagged as fictional by observant readers.

Public Reaction on Social Media

The rumour spread like wildfire, igniting a spectrum of responses from social media users across various platforms. On X (formerly known as Twitter), reactions ranged from accusatory to supportive.

One user lambasted De Niro, branding him a criminal, while another criticized his patriotism. Conversely, another commenter sarcastically suggested that De Niro send a postcard from his new overseas home, proposing Canada, Australia, or New Zealand as suitable relocations.

Debunking the Claims

However, the spicy narrative of De Niro’s exodus is unsupported by facts. Further investigation reveals that the image of the quote shared by The Patriots Network bore a clear disclaimer: « This is a Fictional quote. »

This incident highlights the challenges of distinguishing fact from fiction in the digital age. The story was further complicated by a spoof article from Space X Mania, which in July 2024 published a parody interview with De Niro.

In the fabricated dialogue, De Niro dramatically declares his intention to leave the U.S. if Trump returns to power, citing a « matter of principle and moral responsibility. »

This narrative draws from a real sentiment expressed by De Niro in past public appearances, such as his September 2024 interview on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace.

There, he vehemently criticized Trump, calling him a « jerk » and a « gangster » with the wrong intentions. These genuine expressions are often seized by spoof and misinformation peddlers to craft compelling, yet misleading narratives.