Robert De Niro’s new Meet the Parents instalment faces fierce backlash over actor’s anti-Trump views

The comedy, penned and directed by John Hamburg, is set to land in cinemas on November 25 and marks the series’ return after a 16-year hiatus, following 2010’s Little Fockers.

One poster depicts Ms Grande’s Olivia standing next to Mr De Niro’s Jack Byrnes, while a second image captures Olivia in an embrace with her boyfriend Henry Focker, portrayed by Skyler Gisondo.

The third brings the full ensemble together in a group shot.

While film bosses may have hoped the new posters would drum up excitement for the film, the response on social media was widely critical.

Many of the complaints that rained in centred on Mr De Niro’s political views. The Deer Hunter star has publicly branded the US President everything from a “coward” and “piece of s***”, to “racist” and a “white supremacist”.

Among the backlash facing the upcoming big-screen flick was one X user who penned: “Are you aware of just how many people Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller have alienated with their b*****t? This film is going to flop.”

A second was also pessimistic given the interactions the latest update had garnered: “2 million views and only 1k likes doesn’t bode well for box office success. Go woke…something something.”

“Imagine paying to see Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in 2026,” a third added, alongside clown emojis, while a fourth concurred: “No way am I watching De Niro, who hates half the country who made him a star.”

A fifth weighed in: “A general rule these days, if De Niro is in it, it’s gonna be terrible. He signs on for any old s***e.”

And a sixth also poked fun at Mr De Niro’s political views by mocking the so-called Trump Derangement Syndrome: “Can’t wait to see what else is on when this TDS s***-burger crawls its way to TV……” (sic)

However, there were some film fans who countered the fury, with some admitting they “couldn’t wait” to watch what the fourth movie in the series has in store.

While Mr De Niro is no stranger to publicly attacking President Trump, the criticism hasn’t been one-sided.

In 2018, for instance, after an expletive-laden speech by Mr De Niro at the Tony Awards, President Trump branded the actor as a “very low IQ individual”.

“I watched him… and truly believe he may be ‘punch-drunk’,” President Trump commented at the time.

Away from the political views of its stars, the film’s plot sees Mr Stiller’s Greg Focker undergo a role reversal from the earlier instalments.

Having spent three films as the hapless son-in-law under Mr De Niro’s watchful eye, Greg now finds himself on the other side of the dynamic by becoming the overbearing father-in-law who grows suspicious of his son’s partner.

When Henry announces his intention to propose to Olivia, Greg’s distrust kicks in, even as his own father-in-law Jack takes a markedly warmer approach to the newcomer.

Ms Grande’s strong-willed character, however, proves more than equipped to hold her own, with her hostage negotiation background making her a formidable match for the Focker family’s interrogation tactics.

Mr Stiller and Mr De Niro have been the franchise’s anchors since 2000’s Meet the Parents, and they are joined once again by Teri Polo, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson, who reprises his role as ex-fiancé Kevin Rawley.

Among the fresh additions are Mr Gisondo, Golden Globe nominee Beanie Feldstein and Eduardo Franco.

Mr Hamburg, who co-wrote all three preceding films in the series, steps into the director’s chair for the first time on the franchise.

Ms Grande’s involvement in the promotional campaign was confirmed in September, despite the Grammy winner having previously announced plans to withdraw from public life following her Eternal Sunshine tour.