Before his death, Robert Redford shared his true feelings about Donald Trump!
The entertainment world and millions of fans around the globe are mourning the loss of Robert Redford, the Academy Award–winning actor, director, and activist who passed away at the age of 89. Known for his rugged charm, magnetic screen presence, and dedication to both the arts and public causes, Redford leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond Hollywood.
The news of his death was confirmed by his publicist, Cindi Berger, who told The New York Times that Redford died peacefully in his sleep at his Sundance home in Utah, surrounded by loved ones. Berger asked for privacy for the family during this difficult time, adding in a statement to CNN: “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah—the place he loved most, with the people he loved most. He will be missed dearly.”
Almost immediately, tributes began pouring in from colleagues, admirers, and public figures. Among those who reacted quickly was former President Donald Trump, who expressed his respect for Redford’s achievements. “Robert Redford had a stretch of years where there was simply nobody better,” Trump said while speaking to journalists before a trip to the UK. “He was at the very top, one of the greats. I thought he was outstanding.”
A Legendary Career
Redford’s career spanned six decades and produced some of cinema’s most memorable performances. He became an international star with films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), and Out of Africa (1985). Beyond acting, he also achieved acclaim as a filmmaker, winning an Academy Award for Best Director in 1981 for Ordinary People.
His influence extended beyond Hollywood as well. Redford founded the Sundance Institute, which nurtured independent filmmakers and transformed the Sundance Film Festival into one of the most prestigious cultural gatherings in the world. Through his work both on and off screen, he became not just a star but also a force for artistic integrity and social change.
Redford and Trump: A Complicated Relationship
Yet while Redford and Trump publicly crossed paths only occasionally, their relationship was far from warm. Redford was famously outspoken about American politics, often using his platform to speak about democracy, environmentalism, and civic responsibility. When it came to Donald Trump, his feelings were clear—and he rarely held back.
Back in 2015, before Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton, Redford was asked about him during an interview with Larry King. His response was both cutting and oddly pragmatic: “Look, he’s got such a big foot in his mouth, I’m not sure you’ll ever get it out. But on the other hand, I’m glad he’s in there. Because being who he is, and saying the things he says, he shakes things up. And that’s needed—because on the other side, it’s bland, boring, empty.”
Trump, never one to leave a comment unanswered, responded with surprising gratitude. On Twitter (now X), he wrote: “Wow! Such nice words from Robert Redford on my running for President. Thank you, Robert.”
But as time went on, it became clear Redford’s remarks were not praise but rather an observation. His spokesperson later clarified that the actor’s comments were not meant as support for Trump’s candidacy but as recognition of his disruptive presence in a stagnant political field.
“He Degrades Everything He Touches”
By the time Trump reached the Oval Office, Redford’s tone hardened considerably. In 2019, he published an op-ed in The Washington Post in which he criticized not only Trump’s leadership but the broader political climate that allowed him to thrive. He argued that impeachment was not the solution; instead, he urged Americans to use their votes as the ultimate form of accountability.
“It is painfully clear we have a president who degrades everything he touches,” Redford wrote. “He does not seem to understand—or care—that his responsibility is to defend democracy.”
That same year, Redford penned another essay for NBC News, warning that Trump’s presidency posed unprecedented risks to American values. “We’re up against a crisis I never thought I’d see in my lifetime,” he said. “A dictator-like assault on everything this country stands for.”
Redford admitted that it was fair to give Trump a chance when he was first elected, but he concluded that the president had undermined the very pillars of democracy—the rule of law, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech. “Instead of the United States of America,” he lamented, “we are now defined as the Divided States of America.”
A Legacy of Outspokenness
Robert Redford’s candor about Trump reflected a broader pattern throughout his life. He was never afraid to speak his mind, whether about politics, the environment, or the importance of artistic freedom. While his critiques of Trump sometimes sparked backlash, they also underscored his lifelong commitment to truth-telling and to protecting democratic ideals.
Now, as tributes continue to flood in, fans and observers are revisiting not only Redford’s cinematic triumphs but also his unflinching honesty. In both art and activism, he embodied the role of a man unwilling to stand silently on the sidelines.
Remembering “The Sundance Kid”
Robert Redford’s death marks the end of an era. He was more than an actor; he was a storyteller, an institution builder, and a moral voice who spoke out even when it was unpopular. His complicated relationship with Donald Trump may be just one chapter in a long, storied life, but it highlights his refusal to compromise his principles.
As the world reflects on his passing, one truth is clear: Redford lived a life of conviction. Whether on screen, behind the camera, or in the political arena, he left his mark as someone who believed in the power of art and democracy to shape a better world.
Rest in peace, Robert Redford—actor, director, activist, and eternal Sundance Kid.
