Veteran actor Robert De Niro has ignited a fiery debate after publicly questioning whether conservative commentator Karoline Leavitt should be considered a role model for modern women. The Oscar-winning performer didn’t mince words when addressing Leavitt’s rising profile in conservative politics, suggesting her support for restrictive policies makes her an inappropriate example for young women. “True leadership means expanding rights, not celebrating their erosion,” De Niro stated during a recent interview, taking direct aim at Leavitt’s opposition to abortion access and her vocal defense of former President Trump’s administration.

The 24-year-old political strategist and former Trump White House assistant quickly clapped back on social media platforms, framing De Niro’s comments as typical Hollywood elitism. “It’s rich hearing lectures about women’s empowerment from millionaire celebrities who’ve never had to fight for opportunity the way conservative women have,” Leavitt posted to her substantial online following. Her response highlighted what many see as an ongoing cultural battle between progressive Hollywood figures and young conservative women carving their own paths in politics.

This heated exchange underscores deeper divisions in how different generations and political tribes define female empowerment. While De Niro represents traditional liberal views on women’s rights, Leavitt embodies a new wave of conservative feminism that rejects progressive orthodoxy. The controversy has sparked wider conversations about who gets to determine what qualifies as leadership for young women, with neither side showing signs of backing down. As both figures continue trading barbs, their clash reflects America’s broader culture wars playing out across media landscapes and generational divides.