Hollywood Stars De Niro and Ruffalo Issue Fiery Threats to Trump Ahead of Midterms

Key points

• Robert De Niro and Mark Ruffalo spoke at Indivisible's Hands Off Our Vote event in New York City on October 4, 2026, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
• De Niro, 83, called President Trump a 'coward' and accused the administration of trying to take votes away, urging voters to 'take back the House, take back the Senate, take back the power, take back our country.'
• Ruffalo, 58, warned that Republicans would try to stop voters from taking the country back, stating, 'I'm going to Hulk out. You won't like me when I'm angry,' and urged people not to be afraid.
• The White House, through spokesman Davis Ingle, reissued a statement calling De Niro a 'washed-up has-been' who 'beclowns himself by spewing hate speech and inciting violence,' and suggested he seek treatment for 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.'
• The SAVE Act, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections, passed the House but has not cleared the Senate. The Trump administration expanded the SAVE database to allow states to check voter rolls for citizenship and eligibility.
• De Niro encouraged early voting and participation in the No Kings nationwide day of action on October 17, while Ruffalo called the midterms 'one of the most consequential elections of our lifetimes' and urged voters to make Trump a 'lame duck.'

Background

This event follows a series of escalating tensions between Hollywood figures and the Trump administration. In late September 2026, De Niro appeared on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' in a sketch where he reprised his role as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, confronting Kimmel over 192 instances of mocking Trump. Earlier in September, Republicans staged a Dallas midterm convention built around Trump to energize their base, though analysts warned the event risked alienating swing voters due to Trump's low approval ratings. The current rally continues De Niro's long-standing public opposition to Trump, which has included calling him an 'enemy of this country' and participating in anti-Trump protests.

How outlets are covering it

USA TODAY and The Daily Beast both covered the October 4 rally, but emphasized different aspects. USA TODAY focused heavily on De Niro's speech, his specific insults toward Trump, and the White House's sharp rebuttal, framing the event as part of De Niro's ongoing criticism of the administration. The Daily Beast highlighted both De Niro and Mark Ruffalo, placing greater emphasis on Ruffalo's 'Hulk out' threat and his characterization of the midterms as 'one of the most consequential elections of our lifetimes.' The Daily Beast also noted Trump's mixed messaging, where he simultaneously spread rumors of voter fraud and told followers to vote by mail. Both outlets agreed on the core facts: the event was held by Indivisible, the SAVE Act passed the House but not the Senate, and the administration expanded the SAVE database. Yahoo's coverage was largely inaccessible due to technical errors, but its title indicated it also covered both De Niro and Ruffalo rallying to protect midterm elections.

Why it matters

The rally underscores the intensifying cultural and political divide between Hollywood figures and the Trump administration as the 2026 midterm elections approach. With Trump's approval ratings at record lows and the SAVE Act stalled in the Senate, the administration's expansion of the SAVE database and allegations of voter fraud have become central to the election narrative. The aggressive rhetoric from both De Niro and Ruffalo, combined with the White House's hostile response, signals a highly polarized environment that could influence voter turnout and mobilization in the final weeks before November 3. The event also highlights the role of celebrity endorsements in shaping public discourse around voting rights and democratic participation.

What to watch

Voters are encouraged to participate in early voting and the No Kings nationwide day of action on October 17. The SAVE Act remains pending in the Senate, and the administration's expansion of the SAVE database will likely continue to be a point of contention. The White House is expected to continue its sharp rebuttals of critics like De Niro, while Trump may further spread rumors of voter fraud or deliver mixed messaging about voting methods. The November 3 midterm elections will determine whether Republicans can maintain control of the House and Senate, with both parties framing the outcome as critical to the future of democratic principles and voting rights.