NEW YORK, NY – The National Association of Broadcasters has rescinded an award it planned to give to actor Robert De Niro due to his recent political remarks. De Niro, known for his role in “Goodfellas,” made headlines after expressing strong criticism of former President Donald Trump on behalf of President Biden’s campaign.
During a press conference outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump was facing criminal charges, De Niro warned of the potential consequences of Trump returning to the White House. The actor stated that if Trump were to be re-elected, it would endanger the freedoms that Americans often take for granted.
De Niro’s impassioned words led to a heated exchange with Trump supporters outside the courthouse, culminating in the actor calling one heckler a derogatory term. This incident prompted the broadcasters group to reconsider honoring De Niro with the philanthropy award.
Alex Siciliano, NAB’s senior vice president of communications, explained that De Niro’s recent activities supporting the president’s re-election campaign would detract from the event’s focus on highlighting the philanthropic work of the awardees. As a result, De Niro was disinvited from the Celebration of Service to America awards event.
Despite being uninvited, De Niro expressed his support for the NAB and conveyed his well wishes for the organization. Meanwhile, Trump retaliated against De Niro’s comments on social media, referring to the actor as a “Wacko Former Actor.”
The NAB emphasized the bipartisan nature of the event, highlighting its commitment to honoring the impactful work of local broadcasters and partners regardless of political affiliations. The organization looks forward to celebrating the contributions of individuals who make a difference in their communities through journalism and public service.
Overall, the controversy surrounding De Niro’s political remarks serves as a reminder of the ongoing polarization in American politics and the challenges of engaging in public discourse in a divided society.