Barbra Streisand has leapt to the defence of Meryl Streep after the actress hit out at American President-elect Donald Trump at the Golden Globes Awards on Sunday night.

Mr Trump called the actress “over-rated” on Twitter following her denunciation of him for mimicking a disabled reporter.

But Ms Streisand told American cable channel MSNBC that Ms Streep had spoken “beautifully… I completely agree with Meryl — it was a heartbreaking moment and so beneath the dignity of the presidency, let alone any respectful person.

“And what we need more in this world is kindness and common decency, and how he reacts and how he has the need to talk back and insult anybody who doesn’t agree with him, that’s pretty disgraceful.”

When the interviewer mentioned that Mr Trump had previously said Ms Streep was one of his favourite actors, Ms Streisand said, “that’s why you can’t trust anything he says.”