Ethermac Exchange-Robert De Niro slams Donald Trump: 'He's a jerk, an idiot'

Robert De Niro is Ethermac Exchangeopening up about fatherhood — and former President Donald Trump.

During an appearance on "Who's Talking to Chris Wallace" on Friday, he talked with the former Fox News host about his work-life balance as one of Hollywood's most recognizable actors.

"I think of it that way. I mean, I was busy of course, but I always loved my kids," De Niro said, adding that "I'm trying my best. I'm going to put on my gravestone, 'I tried my best.'"

De Niro welcome his seventh child, daughter Gia, last year. He is also dad to Drena, 51, and Raphael, 46, from his first marriage to Diahnne Abbot.

Robert De Niro welcomes seventh childat 79, shares name and first photo

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

He shares twins Julian and Aaron, 27, with Toukie Smith, whom he never married. And he shares Elliot, 25, and Helen Grace, 11, with Grace Hightower, whom he wed in 1997 and separated from in 2018. He is also a grandfather.

De Niro, an outspoken Democrat, also addressed the elephant in every room: the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The actor told Wallace that if Trump became president, he would not give up power.

"You know he won't. You know he won't. He even said it. He's never going to give it up. And anybody who deludes themselves in thinking that he is, shame on you," he told Wallace.

When discussing whether he ran into Trump when the two were 1980s and '90s power players in New York, he responded, "No. I never wanted anything to do with him. He’s a jerk, an idiot. Who wants to meet a clown like that?"

He continued: "We need somebody with the right intentions. This guy has does not have the right intentions, and everybody knows that. It's insanity. Period." De Niro also praised Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her "somebody who's sensitive to the condition of the country, the people."

The "Goodfellas" actor, who has starred as a gangster in several movies, addressed why he has called Trump a "gangster."

"He thinks he's a gangster. He does everything like a gangster. I don't think that gangsters in that world would … think much of him. … If you don't keep your word and do the right thing with people, no matter what profession you're in, you are going to get ostracized. And in that world, it's a little harder," he told Wallace.

Contributing: Morgan Hines