OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Famed actor Robert De Niro was about to collect yet another award for his mantle but after he went on what many called an unhinged rant against former President Donald Trump on Thursday, officials have decided to rescind it.
De Niro appeared outside the Manhattan courtroom where Trump’s hush-money trial was taking place on behalf of President Joe Biden’s campaign, where he claimed that Trump was a “threat to democracy” and that should he win in November, he’ll become a “dictator.”
“Do we want him running this country and saying, ‘I’m not leaving, I’m dictator for life’?” De Niro railed. Speaking in support of a new, anti-Trump ad blitz by the Biden campaign, De Niro said he hoped to remind voters about “what a danger he [Trump] is to our lives.”
The rant was enough to convince the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to decide against giving De Niro the award, which was supposed to be presented next week.
“This event is proudly bipartisan, uniting those from across the political spectrum to celebrate the impactful work of local broadcasters and our partners,” an NAB spokesperson told The Hill.
“While we strongly support the right of every American to exercise free speech and participate in civic engagement, it is clear that Mr. De Niro’s recent high-profile activities will create a distraction from the philanthropic work that we were hoping to recognize. To maintain the focus on the service of the award winners, Mr. De Niro will no longer be attending the event,” the spokesperson added.
De Niro issued his own statement in response to the NAB decision: “I support the work of the NAB Leadership Foundation and would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for what the Foundation has done and will continue to do for the good of us all, and I wish them well for their continued good work.”
The organization hosts annual events and conferences, including the NAB Show, one of the largest gatherings of media, entertainment, and technology professionals worldwide. The event provides broadcasters with opportunities for networking, learning about new technologies, discussing industry trends, and exploring new business strategies, The Hill reported.
De Niro was set to be honored with the NAB’s top individual award “in recognition of charitable work and public service.” He was supposed to receive recognition during the 2024 Celebration of Service to America Awards on June 4.
Videos of De Niro mixing it up with several pro-Trump hecklers also went viral online.
Faux tough guy actor Robert De Niro got an earful from Trump supporters after an unhinged rant about how Trump, not Biden (who is prosecuting Trump), is a ‘threat to democracy.’ pic.twitter.com/fy0qTHQG8h
— USA Features Media (@UsaFeatures) June 1, 2024
Trump is winning even more support from a key voting bloc after he was convicted in Manhattan this week on 34 counts related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, a.k.a. Stephanie Clifford, ahead of the 2016 election.
UFC champions and other stars from the fighting community quickly came out in support of former President Donald Trump after an outrageous guilty verdict in a New York City court, the Western Journal reported on Friday.
UFC champion Michael Chandler posted photos of himself with the former president on Instagram. “You’ve been in my corner, now I’m in yours,” he wrote. “You know where I stand…and you know who I stand with. See you at the top!”
View this post on Instagram
Retired UFC champion Tito Ortiz posted a new profile picture on his X account, showing him triumphantly holding an American flag while wearing fight trunks that read “Trump 2024.”
#NewProfilePic #Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/sqx4r8kc5y
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) May 31, 2024
Also, former boxing champ Ryan Garcia took to the X platform to write: “Donald T, If you are reading this, We are with you. Stay strong.”
In another post, he added photos of him with Trump, writing, “Just like that, the new president. He will still win. Just watch.”
Just like that, the new president
He will still win
Just watch 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/v2NiEs6Sab
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 30, 2024