Richard Gere Delivers Fiery Speech in Berlin, Criticizing US Leadership
Actor Richard Gere has voiced profound disappointment and shame regarding the United States’ current political climate and its rhetoric concerning immigrants. Speaking at a foundation launch in Berlin, Germany, the veteran actor did not hold back in his criticism of President Donald Trump and the U.S. government’s policies.
Concerns Over ‘Crazy’ Leadership and Immigration Policies
Gere, who recently returned to the United States after a year-long residency in Spain with his wife, Alejandra Silva, questioned the direction of the nation. “Did it ever cross your mind that America could sink to this level? Did you ever imagine that someone as crazy as this would become President of the United States and work to destroy it?” he asked the audience.
The actor’s remarks at the joint migration initiative, hosted by the Hertie School Centre for Fundamental Rights and The Gere Foundation, specifically targeted the government’s language surrounding migrants and refugees. He highlighted the dehumanizing terms used, noting a shift from ‘vermin’ to ‘aliens’ to describe those seeking refuge.
“Deeply Ashamed” of US Government’s Stance
“I’m deeply ashamed of this, I want you to know,” Gere stated, expressing his dismay at how immigrants are perceived. He argued that human history is fundamentally a narrative of migration, adaptation, and contribution, yet current discourse often frames migrants as fundamentally different from others. “They belong to another category of human beings, as if their hopes and fears and aspirations were somehow less legitimate than our own,” he added, emphasizing a shared humanity and interconnectedness through journeys.
“Darkest Moment” and Call for Vigilance
Earlier in the week, during an event at the Oslo Freedom Forum, Gere had also described the current period as the “darkest moment” he has experienced globally. He attributed this situation to public apathy, stating, “We went to sleep. We didn’t care. We didn’t vote. We didn’t really listen.” He also acknowledged his own role, suggesting he hadn’t done “enough work to skillfully convince people” that electing the current president was a mistake.
Gere asserted that the current administration has systematically dismantled positive aspects of the U.S. government and its people from its inception. He urged for increased awareness of how quickly authoritarian tendencies can emerge, warning, “We have to see the cues, this dictatorship of the monsters, how quickly it happens. We have to be vigilant.”
Personal Relocation and Past Criticisms
Gere and his wife, Silva, relocated to Madrid in late 2024, spending approximately a year there before returning to the U.S. late last year. While Silva indicated their move was not solely a reaction to the U.S. political climate, she did express feeling “privileged” to have the option to “escape and go somewhere.” The couple, who married in 2018, sold their Connecticut home before moving to Spain with their two young sons.
The actor has a history of vocal criticism of the Trump administration. In February 2025, while accepting an International Goya Award, he described the U.S. as being in a “very dark place” with a president he characterized as a “bully, a thug.” His sentiments suggest a broader concern about global political trends.
