Richard Gere condemns Trump in Oslo speech

Actor and human rights advocate Richard Gere delivered a sharp rebuke against former US president Donald Trump during a speech at the Oslo Freedom Forum on Tuesday, calling the current political climate in the United States “the darkest time I have ever experienced on this planet.”

Speaking to an audience in Oslo, Gere questioned how Trump could have been re-elected in 2024, asking, “Who would have thought the US could become like this? That a madman like this could become president?” The remark drew immediate applause, which Gere quickly interrupted, insisting, “We have to talk about this. This happened because we fell asleep. We didn’t care, we didn’t vote, we didn’t listen.”

The 76-year-old actor, known for films like Pretty Woman and his long-standing human rights work, admitted he had failed to do enough to persuade voters against Trump. “I did not work hard enough to convince people that this was an insane person to elect as president,” he said.

Gere claimed Trump had “destroyed” American values within his first week of his second term, drawing parallels to pre-World War II Germany. “We must be alert to the signs of these monsters’ dictatorships,” he warned, urging the audience to remain vigilant.

His speech was met with sustained applause.

Shortly after, Gere was unexpectedly awarded a prize for his work in Tibet, a cause he has championed for decades. “I wouldn’t have come if I’d known about this,” he joked upon receiving the honor.