AceShowbiz - U.S. President Donald Trump is hitting back at Robert De Niro following the star's profane rant against him during the Tony Awards.

The controversial leader took to Twitter on Tuesday, June 12 to insult the actor's intelligence, joking the 74-year-old must have taken too many blows to the head while portraying boxer Jake LaMotta in the film Raging Bull as he kicked off a speech at the Tonys on Sunday with expletives aimed at Trump.

"Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ (intelligence quotient) individual, has received to (sic) many shots to the head by real boxers in movies," Trump tweeted. "I watched him last night and truly believe he may be ‘punch-drunk'".

...realize the economy is the best it’s ever been with employment being at an all time high, and many companies pouring back into our country. Wake up Punchy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2018

"I guess he does not realize the economy is the best it's ever been with employment being at an all time high, and many companies pouring back into our country," he continued, adding, “Wake up, Punchy!".

Robert De Niro uncensored. His best monologue ever and I’m pretty sure he wrote it. #TonyAwardspic.twitter.com/uUADEsOydv

— FBI spy Sean Kent (@seankent) June 11, 2018

Launching into his rant, which network executives at CBS were forced to censor, De Niro raged, "Hey Trump - I'm talkin' to you!" as he raised both his fists into the air. "I'm gonna say one thing: F**k Trump".

The star's comments were met with roaring applause from members of the audience at New York's Radio City Music Hall, who then took to their feet to give bold De Niro a standing ovation.

"It's no longer down with Trump. It's f**k Trump," he added, prompting further applause.

A spokesperson for CBS issued a brief statement after the ceremony, which read: "Mr. De Niro's comments were unscripted and unexpected. The offensive language was deleted from the broadcast".