The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has yanked an award from Hollywood heavyweight Robert De Niro. The Oscar winner’s recent fiery appearance at a Biden campaign event outside the courthouse where former President Trump was being tried for hush money dealings was, evidently, too much for the broadcasters’ group to handle. De Niro, originally set to be honored with the NAB Leadership Foundation’s Service to America Award next Tuesday in Washington, D.C., saw his accolade withdrawn following his contentious comments.
On Tuesday De Niro lost control of an anti-Trump press conference outside of the Manhattan courtroom as he found his speech drowned out by the noises of a bustling metropolis. The 80-year-old actor was visibly angry at the prospect of Trump being acquitted by a New York jury.
“Do we want him running this country,” the actor said, “and saying, ‘I’m not leaving, I’m dictator for life’?” 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.”
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As De Niro delivered his scathing remarks against Trump branding him a “tyrant,” his words were drowned out by a heckler donning a MAGA hat, who shouted, “You’re washed up!” The taunt seemed to pierce the actor’s composure, starting an exchange that quickly escalated beyond mere words.
“You’re gangsters!” the actor shouted back at the Trump supporters.
However, the heckler’s shouts continued, each one more biting than the last: “You’re trash. Your movies suck. You’re done!” Caught on camera, De Niro’s reaction was visceral. The actor, whose career has spanned decades and earned him numerous accolades, responded with equal intensity.
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An NAB spokesperson told The Hill in a statement on Thursday, “This event is proudly bipartisan, uniting those from across the political spectrum to celebrate the impactful work of local broadcasters and our partners.”
“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 finished.
De Niro told The Hill in his own statement: “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 NAB hosts annual events and conferences, such as the NAB Show, which is one of the largest gatherings of media, entertainment, and technology professionals in the world. The event offers broadcasters opportunities for networking, learning about new technologies, discussing industry trends, and exploring new business strategies.
De Niro was slated to be honored with the NAB’s top individual award “in recognition of charitable work and public service.” He was scheduled to receive recognition during the 2024 Celebration of Service to America Awards on June 4.
