De Niro’s Explosive Speech: ‘Trump Will Never Leave’ If Re-Elected
New York, May 28, 2024 – In a dramatic and confrontational display, the Biden campaign has escalated its focus on former President Donald Trump’s legal woes by enlisting actor Robert De Niro to deliver a blistering speech outside the Manhattan courtroom where Trump is facing charges in his hush money trial. The event, marked by De Niro’s impassioned rhetoric and clashes with pro-Trump protesters, underscores the intensifying political battle as the 2024 presidential election looms.
Speaking at a press conference organized by President Joe Biden’s campaign, De Niro did not hold back in his condemnation of Trump.
The actor labeled Trump a “clown” and a “buffoon,” criticizing his past behavior in New York and his actions as president.
“We used to tolerate him when he was just another grubby real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot,” De Niro said, reflecting on Trump’s pre-political life in the city.
He warned that Trump’s return to the White House would spell the end of American democracy as we know it: “If he gets in, I can tell you right now he will never leave. Is that the country we want to live in?”
De Niro’s remarks were punctuated by a tense encounter with Trump supporters.
As he made his way back to his car, a group of protesters hurled insults at him, calling him a “wannabe” and a “paid sell-out.
“De Niro shot back, “You’re not going to intimidate. That’s what Trump does. … You are gangsters!” The heated exchange highlighted the deep divisions and heightened emotions surrounding Trump’s trial and the broader political climate.
The Biden campaign’s decision to hold the press conference with De Niro and two former Capitol Police officers, Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone, signifies a shift in their strategy.
Previously, the campaign had largely avoided direct commentary on Trump’s criminal charges. However, this move indicates a more aggressive approach, aimed at keeping Trump’s legal issues in the public eye and drawing a stark contrast between the current president and his predecessor.
De Niro’s presence was particularly symbolic. Known for his outspoken criticism of Trump, the actor’s involvement lent a high-profile, dramatic flair to the event. The campaign also released a new ad narrated by De Niro, emphasizing the dangers they believe Trump poses to the nation’s future.
Trump’s campaign was quick to respond, mocking the Biden campaign’s use of De Niro.
Senior adviser Jason Miller derided the actor as an “elitist out-of-touch Hollywood actor,” and spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized the event as a desperate attempt to boost Biden’s campaign. The Trump campaign also highlighted the presence of prominent Trump allies outside the courthouse, including various Republican politicians and potential vice-presidential candidates.
Despite the criticism, the Biden campaign’s event succeeded in capturing media attention.
Michael Tyler, Biden’s communications director, asserted that the press conference was not directly about the trial but rather about addressing the broader implications of Trump’s actions, including the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
The press conference and De Niro’s speech reflect the broader strategy of the Biden campaign as it navigates the contentious 2024 election. By directly addressing Trump’s legal troubles and framing them within the context of his presidency’s perceived threats to democracy,
Biden’s team aims to galvanize their base and sway undecided voters. The presence of Capitol Police officers Dunn and Fanone, who defended the Capitol during the January 6 insurrection, further underscores the campaign’s focus on the rule of law and the preservation of democratic norms.
As Trump faces multiple legal battles, including the hush money case, the classified documents case, and charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the Biden campaign’s tactic of linking these issues to Trump’s potential return to power is likely to be a recurring theme in the coming months.