Robert Redford Dies at 89: Tributes Pour In, Alongside Reflection on His Candid Warnings About Donald Trump
The world is mourning the death of Robert Redford, one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons.
As tributes pour in for the legendary actor, director, and activist, so too are echoes of his unfiltered political views—especially his candid assessments of former President Donald Trump—resurfacing in public discourse. For many, Redford’s sharp words now read less as commentary and more as prophecy.
A Giant of Screen and Spirit
Robert Redford passed away peacefully at his home in Sundance, Utah, at the age of 89, surrounded by loved ones, according to his publicist, Cindi Berger.
With a career that spanned more than six decades, Redford left behind a towering legacy—one that includes iconic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, and Out of Africa, as well as founding the Sundance Institute and its internationally respected film festival.
But Redford’s impact wasn’t limited to cinema. A lifelong advocate for the arts, environmental causes, and civic engagement, he often used his platform to speak out on issues of national and global concern.
Trump Responds—But Omits the History
Following the news of Redford’s passing, former President Donald Trump offered respectful condolences. Speaking briefly to reporters, Trump called Redford “a great actor” and remarked, “That’s a good way to go, I guess,” after learning he had died in his sleep.
What Trump did not mention was Redford’s outspoken criticism of his presidency—a silence that struck many as notable, given the weight and clarity of Redford’s past remarks.
A Complicated History: From Curiosity to Condemnation
Redford’s views on Trump were never simplistic. In 2015, before the former reality TV star secured the Republican nomination, Redford appeared on Larry King Now and offered a surprisingly nuanced take.
“He’s got such a big foot in his mouth, I’m not sure you’re going to get it out,” Redford said with a wry smile. “But I’m glad he’s in there, because he shakes things up—and that’s needed.”
Trump reportedly welcomed the comment, thanking Redford. But that moment of apparent openness soon evolved into firm opposition.
By the 2020 election, Redford had aligned himself decisively against Trump’s leadership. In a CNN op-ed endorsing Joe Biden, he warned that “another four years of this would degrade our country beyond repair.” He accused Trump of undermining democratic institutions and “exploiting every division” in the nation.
“America has lost its moral compass,” Redford wrote. “Biden has fierce compassion, and that’s what we need right now.”
Escalating Concern: “He Degrades Everything He Touches”
Redford didn’t shy away from naming what he believed were the dangers of Trump’s presidency. In a 2019 Washington Post opinion piece, he wrote that impeachment alone wasn’t the solution—but that the voters had a responsibility to reject Trump’s vision of leadership.
“He degrades everything he touches. He’s threatening the core values of democracy.”
In another op-ed for NBC News, Redford’s tone turned even more urgent, describing what he saw as a “dictator-like attack” on foundational American principles. Though once open to giving Trump “a chance,” Redford came to view his presidency as a pivotal break from the ideals the country had long strived to uphold.
In a final, often-quoted interview, Redford lamented what he called the transformation of the “United States of America” into the “Divided States of America.”
Conclusion
Robert Redford will be remembered for generations—not only for his remarkable contributions to film and the arts, but for his fearless civic voice in an era marked by uncertainty and division. His body of work spanned genres, decades, and causes—but in his final years, it was his deep concern for the country’s democratic soul that perhaps resonated most.
As America reflects on the legacy of a man who told powerful stories both on and off screen, Redford’s stark warnings about leadership, division, and the fragility of democracy feel increasingly relevant. They are not just political observations—they may, in time, come to be seen as one of his most enduring performances.