CHECK – Did Robert De Niro really announce his departure from the United States after Donald Trump’s victory?

Did Donald Trump's victory in the American presidential election convince Robert De Niro to pack his cards? This is what online publications say: the actor of the Godfather reportedly announced his departure from the United States shortly after the publication of the results. A decision which may surprise given his lifelong attachment (new window) in New York, the city where he was born and where he spent most of his life.

It is common knowledge that Robert De Niro is a staunch Democrat and supported Joe Biden in the race for the White House, before the latter threw in the towel. The actor even took part in one of his campaign videos (new window) who attacked his opponent. That is why in mid-November, after the triumphant score (new window) of Donald Trump, pro-Republican Facebook pages laughed. “Has anyone thought about checking in on Robert De Niro?” “Donald Trump for President” was asked, for example.

From Facebook to X, an unfounded rumor

But many accounts took the opportunity to announce his alleged desire to leave the country. “Robert De Niro announces plans to leave the United States and says: 'I don't get any respect here'. What is your reaction?” notably shared David Wolfe, American author and conspiracy theorist, on November 15 on Facebook (new window). In the days that followed, several tweets written in English claimed that the actor had decided to leave the United States: we find the trace here (new window)or even there. (new window)

This assertion is only an unfounded rumor and was mainly born from a false quote attributed to the actor. The sentence “Not worth living here now !” found herself attached to the name of Robert De Niro after being posted on Facebook (new window) on November 10, by the account “The Patriots Network”. Originally, a simple image of the actor accompanied by these words: “Robert De Niro leaves the United States with the massive red wave: 'it's not worth living here anymore!'”.

However, “The Patriot Network” aims to be parodic and systematically specifies the satirical aim of its publications. Indeed, this type of photo, associating a celebrity with a false quote, seems to be the stock in trade of this page. In the case of Robert De Niro, the information appears in the caption and in the photo, where it is written “This is a fictional quote.”

Another parody page, linked to this one, had already attributed these intentions to the actor this summer, who allegedly declared on a television set: “If the 45th president returns to the White House, I will leave this country for good. I cannot stay in a place where such a person is in power.” In reality, these remarks were never made by Robert De Niro, who never hesitated to say the bad things he thought. (new window) of the Republican candidate… but who doesn't plan to move yet. This account did it again on November 18 by publishing a false article (new window) according to which “Bruce Springsteen leaves the US with Robert De Niro, 'No respect for us here'”.

• Read also

  Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court… is Donald Trump's power total?

The actor is also on a larger list of American celebrities who have already planned to leave the United States after the election of Donald Trump. Fake news, again, coming from masculinist influencer Andrew Tate, as reported by Newsweek (new window)and which included personalities like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Bill Gates.

Do you want to ask us questions or submit information that you do not believe is reliable? Do not hesitate to write to us at [email protected]. Find us also on X: our team is present there behind the account @verif_TF1LCI.