New York, NY – A fiery media clash erupted this week after Fox News host Greg Gutfeld made explosive claims about legendary actor Robert De Niro during a live broadcast of Gutfeld!. The controversial moment sparked immediate backlash—and an emotional response from De Niro himself.

During a late-night segment, Gutfeld took aim at De Niro’s outspoken political activism, accusing the actor of being “a Hollywood hypocrite” and hinting at what he described as the actor’s “dark past,” including allegations of personal misconduct, questionable business ties, and volatile behavior on and off movie sets.

“Robert De Niro loves to lecture America from his penthouse,” Gutfeld said. “But when you look into his own history, it’s not exactly squeaky clean. There’s a reason people in the industry say he’s difficult to work with—and it’s not because he’s just a perfectionist.”

Though Gutfeld didn’t cite specific legal charges or verified scandals, the segment relied heavily on resurfaced tabloid reports and unnamed sources. The tone was intentionally provocative, and Gutfeld made it clear the segment was a response to De Niro’s recent anti-Trump comments, including calling the former president a “clown” and “danger to democracy.”

Within 24 hours, De Niro’s camp issued a rare public statement, denouncing the remarks and accusing Gutfeld of spreading misinformation for political gain.

“Mr. Gutfeld’s comments are a baseless, desperate attempt to distract from real issues by smearing someone who speaks his mind,” the statement read. “Robert De Niro has never shied away from expressing his beliefs, and he stands by every word.”

De Niro himself later addressed the controversy while leaving a restaurant in Manhattan. In a brief, visibly irritated exchange with reporters, the 80-year-old actor didn’t hold back.

“He wants to talk about secrets?” De Niro said. “Maybe he should start with his own network. I’ve got nothing to hide. I’ve worked hard, I’ve been honest, and I’ve earned the right to speak out.”

The public spat has ignited a firestorm online, with fans and critics of both men weighing in. Conservative commentators applauded Gutfeld for “calling out Hollywood elites,” while De Niro’s supporters defended the actor’s right to criticize public figures without being personally attacked.

The tension between De Niro and Fox News personalities is nothing new. Over the years, the actor has repeatedly slammed right-wing media and Republican leaders. Likewise, conservative hosts have frequently mocked De Niro for what they view as out-of-touch rants from a “privileged celebrity bubble.”

Still, the intensity of this most recent exchange feels different, with both sides digging in deeper—and showing no signs of backing down.

Whether this is just another flashpoint in the ongoing culture war or the beginning of a deeper feud, one thing is clear: Robert De Niro may be 80, but he’s not backing down from a fight.