Actor Robert De Niro makes remarks comparing “loving” the United States to an abused spouse defending their abuser, according to multiple outlets. He says he cannot “love America” in its current state and suggests the country is not “so lovable right now,” while linking the sentiment to the leadership of President Donald Trump. The comments are reported to have been made during a public event in New York City. De Niro’s comparison frames national affection as problematic while the country is under current political conditions, with one outlet reporting he said “I hate to say it” before delivering the analogy. Other coverage describes the message as De Niro expressing difficulty supporting or endorsing the country under Trump, using the abusive-spouse metaphor to convey that tension. The outlets agree on the substance of the analogy and the context that Trump’s presidency is part of what is prompting De Niro’s comments, though they use different phrasing to describe his exact wording.