Robert De Niro, 80, has released a statement heaping praise on President Joe Biden, 81, after the Democrat leader announced he would not be running for re-election.
Concerns had been raised about Biden’s age and capacity to run the US for another term following a series of discombobulated public appearances, including a disastrous televised debate against Donald Trump, 78.
Trump, who’ll be seeking to be re-elected himself later this year, has been unveiled as the Republican nominee alongside running mate JD Vance.
While the likes of George Clooney and Michael Douglas were just two Hollywood A-listers who expressed concern about Biden’s capability to run for office again, De Niro has stood firmly behind the 81-year-old throughout his campaign trail.
The Taxi Driver star even appeared at Biden’s presidential campaign presser outside a New York courthouse during the closing arguments of Trump’s so-called “hush money” trial earlier this year where he clashed with Republican supporters,
But with Biden now out of the race, De Niro decided to reflect on his tenure and offer his “respect, admiration, and affection” to the 81-year-old for making the call.
Actor Robert De Niro has been a staunch opponent of Donald Trump’s
REUTERS
He said via spokesman Stan Rosenfeld: “In an act of shrewd politics and selfless patriotism, Joe Biden is stepping aside to clear the path for another Democrat to become president.
“There is nothing more important for our country than defeating Donald Trump at the ballot box. With respect, admiration, and affection, thank you Mr. President!”
Biden threw his endorsement behind VP Kamala Harris after announcing his decision to step down. She has accepted and confirmed plans to run.
While De Niro and other celeb luvvies such as John Legend, Barbra Streisand and Cardi B praised Biden and looked forward to a possible Harris stint in the White House, others were quick to rip apart the support given the Democrats’ leader has stepped down.
Donald Trump will be hoping to be elected as US President at this year’s election
GETTY
In response to US publication The Hill’s report on De Niro’s comments, one person fumed on X, formerly Twitter: “Nothing that Biden did was selfless! He has been in denial for over three years and has wrecked this country as puppet potus.”
“A true ‘hero’ and ‘patriot’ would have resigned from the presidency,” a second critiqued before a third mocked: “Cry more lol.”
Elsewhere, a fourth accused: “Robert Deniro just reads the elitist Democrat talking points. It’s a script, and all he’s good at.”
And a fifth echoed: “Who writes this washed up has been’s script? He/She needs a new script writer.”
Elsewhere, a sixth picked apart De Niro’s statement: “Ha ha ha. ‘Shrewd politics’. Ha ha ha. Yeah. Democrats are handing the 2024 Presidential election so intelligently. LOL.” (sic)
De Niro’s glowing reflection on Biden should come as no surprise considering he’s been such an ardent opponent to Trump in recent years.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Back in March, De Niro even appeared on a late-night talk show with Jimmy Kimmel where he branded Trump “f***ing stupid” and a “malignant narcissist”.
After reading some of Trump’s social media posts in which he targeted De Niro, the 80-year-old bluntly replied: “He’s so f***ing stupid. Look at the lame things that he said.
“He’s so stupid, he can’t even say anything clever. He’s a f***ing moron.
“But he’s a scary one and in all seriousness and we know it here, people need to get out and vote and vote and vote and vote…
“It’s all an act in certain way. He’s deeply insecure. He is a malignant narcissist. He’s a socio-psychopath. It’s so frightening and scary and he’s dangerous. We’ve got to get rid of him.”