Richard Gere says US is in ‘darkest moment’ he’s experienced and calls Trump a ‘maniac’

Richard Gere is cautioning the Democratic Party about the potential consequences of neglect.

Speaking at the Oslo Freedom Forum in Norway on Tuesday, the 76-year-old actor shared his perspective on the current state of the United States. He described the period under President Trump as “the darkest moment” he has ever experienced.

Gere expressed his disbelief, questioning, “How is this even possible? Because we went to sleep. We didn’t care. We didn’t vote. We didn’t really listen.” He admitted, “Of course, I didn’t vote for this guy, but I didn’t do enough work to skillfully convince people around me, close to me, not close to me, that this was insane to elect this person as President of the United States.”

He criticized President Trump, labeling him a “maniac” who has “dismantled almost everything that was good about the US government and the US people.” Nonetheless, he recognized that while the nation “has never been a perfect place,” it has shown an ability to be “self-corrective.”

In his speech, Gere also reflected on a visit to Dachau concentration camp, which he used as a stark reminder of “how quickly our world can be taken from us if we fall asleep,” urging people to “see the cues.”

“We can’t sit back and go, ‘Ah, life is good. I’m fine. You know, I’ve got food. I got money. Blah blah blah. I got my house. I got another car. I’m thinking about this. I’m OK. I know he’s a bad guy, but it’s OK,’” Gere stated. “But it’s not OK. It’s not OK. It’s never OK.” He emphasized the need for vigilance, warning of “this dictatorship of the monsters” and how swiftly it can happen.

Previously, in December 2025, the “Pretty Woman” actor spoke to Variety after listening to the Dalai Lama, whom he regards as a close friend. He shared that the experience made him consider how the United States was on the “very wrong track.” Gere expressed his astonishment at the state of the country, questioning how anyone could explain what President Trump “has done to this country” or “what it feels like to be an American now.”

Gere advocated for electing leaders who share a vision for a better world, emphasizing the importance of choosing individuals who can guide society towards a higher level of possibility. He criticized the “very crude mentality” present in current leadership.

In late 2024, Gere and his wife, Alejandra Silva, relocated to Spain. Gere described the move as “a great adventure” since he had never lived outside the United States before. He highlighted that the relocation was beneficial for Silva, as it allowed her to be close to “her family, her lifelong friends, and her culture,” acknowledging her generosity in spending six years in his world.

In an April 2025 interview with the Daily Mail, Silva clarified that the move was not permanent, explaining, “For a few years [we’ll live in Spain], and then come back. But we’re always coming back.” She expressed her longing for her family and the US, stating, “I’m with my family… I missed them a lot. But I miss the US. So we come back and forth.”