Richard Gere Criticizes President Trump at Oslo Freedom Forum

Actor Richard Gere criticized President Trump during his speech at the Oslo Freedom Forum on June 4, 2026, calling him a "maniac" and stating that he has dismantled American institutions since taking office. Gere expressed concern over the current state of the United States, describing it as experiencing its "darkest hour." He attributed Trump's presidency to voter apathy, including his own, and emphasized the need for vigilance against authoritarianism. Gere has a history of publicly opposing Trump, having previously referred to him as a "bully and a thug" at the Goya Awards in February 2025. He was in Oslo to present the Vaclav Havel International Prize for Creative Dissent, which honors those who challenge authoritarian rule. This year's recipients included imprisoned Chinese artist Gao Zhen and Myanmar dissident Sai.