A-list American actor Robert De Niro’s pulled no punches against Republican presidential candiate Donald Trump, who he called a “clown” and insists that the controversial politician “will destroy this country”.

Speaking on Monday (May 27) at a press conference outside of Donald Trump’s ‘Hush Money’ trial in New York, De Niro addressed the possibility of Trump’s re-election.

“I love this city, I don’t want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only this city but the country, and eventually, he could destroy the world,” said De Niro.

De Niro said that Trump does not “belong in my city (New York)”, noting that New Yorkers are “pretty accommodating, we make room for clowns.”

“I owe this city a lot,” he added.

De Niro then continued, explaining that though New Yorkers may be tolerant of having people who do “crazy things in the street”, he understood this “accommodating” behaviour is a part of their culture. However, he does not agree that New Yorkers should overlook or tolerate Trump’s caustic antics.

“That does not work, and we all know that,” he said.

Following De Niro’s statement, the Trump campaign held a press conference where De Niro was referred to as a “washed-up actor” by supporters as they yelled that his movies “suck”.

De Niro also narrated in a Joe Biden campaign Ad speaking against Trump’s re-election.

Watch the ad below: