Imagine saying Robert De Niro’s movies are bad when he’s starred in iconic films like Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Irishman, and Killers of the Flower Moon. Yes, that happened.
With a trophy case overflowing with Oscars and a career that spans over decades, De Niro has proven time and again that he’s one of Hollywood’s finest. But even legends face critics, as seen during a recent public appearance in New York.
The drama unfolded when De Niro stepped up to speak outside the Manhattan courtroom where former president Donald Trump is on trial.
Using his platform, De Niro didn’t hold back, delivering a stern warning about the dangers of re-electing Trump. He said Trump aims to “destroy not only the city, but the country.”
“Eventually he can destroy the world,” De Niro added.
At this fiery event, De Niro was not alone. He was supported by two officers who were heroes during the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021. However, not everyone in the crowd was in agreement. Some were there to voice their support for Trump.
It was these pro-Trump demonstrators who unleashed a barrage of insults at De Niro as he walked to his car, calling him a ‘wannabe,’ a ‘paid sell-out,’ a ‘nobody,’ and a ‘little punk’. They even went as far as shouting that his ‘movies suck’.
De Niro, however, remained unshaken, responding to the protestors with poise and resilience. “You’re not going to intimidate. That’s what Trump does. … We are going to fight back. We’re trying to be gentlemen in this world, the Democrats. You are gangsters. You are gangsters!” he asserted.
When yet another heckler shouted that De Niro was ‘washed up,’ the actor couldn’t hold back any longer. With a fiery glance and a sharp tone, he shot back, “F**k you,” before he swiftly got into his car and left.
This incident occurred while Trump’s campaign team took jabs at Biden for involving De Niro in the political sphere as the November election approaches.
Karoline Leavitt, a voice from Trump’s camp, labeled De Niro an ‘elitist out-of-touch Hollywood actor,’ questioning his understanding of the everyday struggles faced by Americans.
Jason Miller, Trump’s senior adviser, sneered, “The best that Biden can do is roll out a washed-up actor.”
In his passionate plea, De Niro warned that if Trump returns to the White House, he might ‘never leave.’