Richard Gere Rips 'Bully' Trump And Rise Of Authoritarianism In Powerful Awards Speech

Actor Richard Gere slammed President Donald Trump as a "bully and a thug" while accepting a lifetime achievement honor at Spain’s Goya Awards this weekend.

On stage at the Palacio de Congresos de Granada, alongside Antonio Banderas, who presented him with the award, Gere paused his discussion on the craft of acting to voice his concerns about changes he has observed in a world becoming increasingly characterized by authoritarian movements.

He said:

“We’re all part of a universe of overlapping pain and sadness and joy and expectations and dreams and hopes and visions."

"And I see this world that we’re in now forgetting that, and this kind of very foolish tribalism is starting to take us over, where we think we’re all separate from each other, and we have unfortunately elected officials that don’t inspire us in the way we want to be inspired.”

“[I see] this very foolish tribalism is starting to take over, where we think we’re all separate from each other. We have, unfortunately, elected officials that don’t inspire us in the way we want to be inspired. We are in a very dark place in America where we have a bully and a thug who is the president of the United States."

"America is experiencing a dark time, and the time has come for people to stand up. We must be vigilant about this dark marriage of money and power. It is irresponsible and corrosive that there are millionaires in charge of the United States, [it’s] a danger to the whole planet.”

"The millionaire clowns surrounding Trump are immature and narcissistic, a deadly mix."

After allowing the audience to applaud, he added:

"It’s not just in the U.S. It’s everywhere. Authoritarianism takes us all over."

"We have to be vigilant, we have to be alert. We have to be energetic. We have to be brave. We have to be courageous."

"And everyone who’s watching this ― in the Spanish-speaking world and elsewhere ― we have to be willing to stand up, tell the truth, be honest. And there’s a place in all of our lives for basic kindness, for basic love and understanding.”

You can hear what he said in the video below.

Many applauded Gere's remarks.

Gere had earlier met with the press, telling reporters that where Trump is concerned, "these clowns dressed as presidents appear immature and narcissistic."

Spot on.