Robert De Niro brands Donald Trump as a ‘monster’ during New York hush money trial, says US News
Robert De Niro firmly believes that Donald Trump “should not be allowed” to serve as president of the United States again, especially after showing up outside his criminal hush money trial in New York.
The Oscar-winning actor publicly criticized the former president, referring to him as a “monster” in Lower Manhattan, accusing Mr. Trump of intentions to harm the city and the country.
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Accompanied by two former police officers who were present at the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, De Niro made a public appearance outside the courthouse on behalf of President Joe Biden’s campaign team, which has mostly ignored Mr. Trump’s legal disputes up to now.
A key adviser for President Biden’s campaign clarified they were not present to discuss the trial directly, and De Niro, along with the officers, did not address the specifics of the legal case.
“We’re not here today because of what’s happening over there,” expressed Biden campaign’s communications director Michael Tyler, motioning towards the courthouse. “We’re here today because you all are here.”
The court is currently deliberating on the case where the former president is alleged to have altered business records to conceal hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Pic: Reuters
‘Trump’s a monster’ – De Niro
During an interview with Sky News, De Niro stated: “You know my opinion of Donald Trump, he’s a monster.
“He should not be allowed… listen – he cannot be president of the United States again, never, ever.
“People know that, and many are aware of it but are hesitant to speak out, but they must now speak up and admit to themselves that he’s a monster, and despite any fear, they need to voice their concerns.
“This is a crucial moment for our country.”
When questioned about his apprehensions regarding the impending verdict in the hush money trial, De Niro added: “If it’s a hung jury or any other outcome, he’ll exploit it with his usual rhetoric. He’ll manipulate the situation, and even though supporters like the ones behind us may cheer, the truth remains that he is guilty, and we all recognize that.
“I have never witnessed someone evade legal consequences to this extent, and we all acknowledge this, slipping out when he really shouldn’t have.”
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Pic: Reuters
Upon departing from the scene, the 80-year-old actor, renowned for his roles in Goodfellas and The Godfather, referred to a group of Trump supporters who had gathered as “gangsters” before leaving in a vehicle.
However, Mr. Trump’s team argued in a counter press conference that the presence of the Taxi Driver star supported the Republican’s assertion that his prosecutions were politically motivated.
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Mr. Trump’s senior campaign adviser, Jason Miller, referred to De Niro – recipient of Oscars for his performances in The Godfather: Part II and Raging Bull – as “a washed-up actor,” claiming that the pro-Biden gathering indicated that Trump’s trials, like the others faced by the former president, were fueled by political motives.
“After repeatedly denying political influences in this trial, they showed up and turned a Lower Manhattan trial day for President Trump into a campaign event,” stated Mr. Miller.
Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary for the Trump campaign, criticized the Biden campaign as “desperate and failing,” labeling their event outside the trial as “pathetic” and a “clear indication that this trial is a witch hunt coming from the top.”
