You've probably seen the headlines screaming across your Facebook feed or popping up in those "recommended" news blocks. It usually goes something like this: "Robert De Niro packs his bags!" or "Legendary actor says goodbye to America for good."
Honestly, it’s the kind of stuff that travels halfway around the world before the truth even has a chance to get its shoes on.
People are genuinely curious: did Robert De Niro leave the country? It’s a fair question, especially given how incredibly vocal he’s been about the political climate. He hasn't exactly made a secret of his distaste for certain politicians. But there is a massive gulf between a celebrity venting during a late-night talk show interview and actually hiring an international moving crew to ship their furniture to a villa in the Italian countryside.
The Viral Rumors vs. Reality
Let's cut right to the chase. No, Robert De Niro has not left the United States. He hasn't moved to Italy. He hasn't moved to Antigua. He’s still a resident of New York, a city he’s been synonymous with for basically his entire life.
The rumors started swirling with a vengeance following the 2024 election. It's a pattern we see every four years—celebs make bold statements, the internet amplifies them, and suddenly there's a narrative that Hollywood is empty. In De Niro’s case, the "proof" often cited by social media posts was actually rooted in satire or old, out-of-context clips.
Some "news" sites—and I use that term loosely—claimed he announced his departure during a press conference. Fact-checkers at places like PolitiFact have debunked these claims repeatedly. Most of these posts originated from accounts known for "parody," but by the time they hit your aunt's timeline, the parody label was long gone.
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Why the Italy Connection?
It’s easy to see why the Italy rumor feels so believable to people. For one, Robert De Niro is an Italian citizen. He’s had dual citizenship since 2006. He’s incredibly proud of his roots, specifically in the Molise region where his great-grandparents are from.
Back in 2016, after that election, the mayor of Ferrazzano—the ancestral home of the De Niro family—literally invited him to come live there. At the time, De Niro joked on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he’d "probably have to move there."
But that’s the key: it was a joke.
Fast forward to late 2025, and he was back in Rome. He wasn't there to sign a lease, though. He was being honored with the Capitoline Wolf, which is the highest civilian honor the city of Rome gives out. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri presented it to him in November 2025, calling him a "living work of art." He spent time in Italy, sure, but as an honored guest and a citizen of the world, not as a political refugee.
The "Plan B" Passport
One thing that confuses people is that De Niro actually holds three passports. Most people are lucky to have one.
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- United States: He was born in NYC. He’s American through and through.
- Italy: He obtained this through jus sanguinis (right of blood) because of his ancestry.
- Antigua and Barbuda: This one is interesting. He’s actually a Special Envoy for the country and has invested significantly in the Paradise Found Nobu Resort project there.
Having a "Plan B" is a common move for the ultra-wealthy. It doesn't mean they've left; it just means they have options. If you’re Robert De Niro, you can spend a month in Barbuda or a summer in Rome without "leaving" your life in the States.
Why He’s Not Going Anywhere
De Niro is 82. He has a young daughter, Gia, born in 2023. He has a massive business empire in New York, including the Tribeca Film Festival and his stake in Nobu.
Think about it. The guy basically is New York. Moving his entire life, his business interests, and his family to another continent because he’s unhappy with an election result is a logistical nightmare that rarely happens in real life.
He’s definitely stayed active in the U.S. political scene. Throughout 2024 and into 2025, he continued to show up at events and give interviews. He’s still the same guy who showed up outside a Manhattan courthouse to give a fiery speech. He’s choosing to stay and fight for his views rather than retreating to a Mediterranean island.
The Anatomy of a Celebrity Death (or Departure) Hoax
Why do these stories about did Robert De Niro leave the country keep trending?
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- Confirmation Bias: People who don't like his politics want to believe he's gone.
- Engagement: "De Niro Quits America" gets way more clicks than "De Niro Attends Business Meeting in Lower Manhattan."
- The Satire Pipeline: Sites like The Last Line of Defense create fake stories that get picked up by people who don't realize it's a joke.
Honestly, it's exhausting trying to keep up with what's real. But if you're looking for De Niro, you're more likely to find him at a restaurant in Tribeca than a farmhouse in Molise.
What You Should Actually Look For
If a major celebrity like Robert De Niro were to actually emigrate, it wouldn't be a secret on a random Facebook page. It would be in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety. There would be real estate listings for his New York properties. There would be business filings showing he was divesting from his American interests.
None of that has happened.
In fact, he’s still working. His project Zero Day and other upcoming roles keep him firmly planted in the Hollywood and New York production cycles. Actors work where the cameras are, and for De Niro, that’s still very much the USA.
Next Steps for Verifying Celebrity News:
- Check the Source: If the "news" comes from a site with a name like "PatriotFlashNews.co," it's probably fake. Stick to established trade publications.
- Look for Official Statements: High-profile celebrities have publicists. If they move, there is usually a formal statement to manage their brand.
- Search for Property Records: Major moves usually involve selling off high-value real estate, which is public record.
- Verify the Date: Many "breaking" stories are actually five-year-old clips being recycled for fresh outrage.
The bottom line? Robert De Niro is still here. He might be frustrated, he might be loud, and he might have an Italian passport in his desk drawer, but he hasn't traded the Hudson River for the Tiber just yet.