On Tuesday, May 28, 2024 actor Robert De Niro and two former Capitol Police officers gathered outside the courthouse in New York City, where the trial about hush money allegations against former President Donald Trump was taking place. De Niro, an outspoken critic of Trump, used this opportunity to make a bold political statement in support of President Joe Biden’s campaign.
De Niro expressed his concerns about Trump, calling him a “clown” and a threat to democracy. He stated his love for the city and his concerns about its future. De Niro’s remarks were directed at Trump and his supporters who were present at the scene, expressing their opposition to Biden through chants and insults directed at De Niro.
The situation was tense as the crowd of Trump supporters responded to De Niro with criticisms of his films and insults about his career. Despite the hostility, De Niro continued to emphasize the significance of voting for Biden in order to safeguard democracy.
Joining De Niro were former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and ex-Washington, D.C., police officer Michael Fanone, both of whom were present during the Capitol insurrection on January 6th. Their participation served as a stark reminder of the violent events of that day and the ongoing perceived threat from Trump.
Dunn and Fanone spoke about their experiences during the January 6th riot, emphasizing the physical and emotional impact. Fanone, who experienced a heart attack and a traumatic brain injury during the riot, stated, “This violence was fueled by Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen. We need to wake up and defeat Trump at the ballot box.”
De Niro reiterated these concerns, cautioning that a Trump reelection could jeopardize American freedoms. He referred to Trump’s past as a real estate dealer and expressed concern about his potential to cause harm to the country.
De Niro has also contributed his voice to a Biden-Harris campaign ad. He discussed the association of violence with Trump’s presidency and warned against Trump’s willingness to use violence for personal gain. He referred to it as “violence of a coward.”
According to the Associated Press, the decision by the Biden campaign to involve De Niro, Dunn, and Fanone at the courthouse was strategic. They hoped to use the extensive media coverage of Trump’s trial to shift the narrative towards the January 6th insurrection and the perceived broader threats posed by Trump.
Trump’s campaign dismissed the event as a political maneuver. Senior adviser Jason Miller downplayed the efforts of the Biden campaign, suggesting that De Niro’s involvement was unimpressive. Another spokesperson for Trump suggested that the Biden campaign was overly concerned about Trump’s ongoing popularity despite his legal challenges.
The event highlighted the ongoing political tension and the significance of the upcoming election. De Niro’s call for support for Biden emphasized the deep divisions and need for decisive action from voters.
Despite the ongoing chants and noise, De Niro concluded with an urgent call to voters: “The only way to preserve our freedoms and hold onto our humanity is to vote for Joe Biden for president. Really. We don’t have a choice.”
