The NAB rescinded Robert De Niro’s planned Service to America Award following his critical remarks about Donald Trump, expressing concerns of distracting from the event’s philanthropic focus. De Niro’s comments reflected his strong opposition to Trump’s potential return to power and his active support for Joe Biden’s presidency.
Robert De Niro, an 80-year-old Oscar-winning actor, will not receive the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Leadership Foundation’s Service to America Award as initially planned. The NAB rescinded the honor following De Niro’s critical remarks about former President Donald Trump outside Manhattan Criminal Court. The comments were made in support of President Joe Biden during a press conference on May 28, 2024.
De Niro voiced strong opposition to Trump, questioning his place in New York City and predicting severe consequences if Trump were to return to the White House. He described Trump as a potentially destructive force for the city, country, and the world. De Niro’s remarks were in line with his active engagement in Biden’s campaign, emphasizing his belief that Trump’s return to power would endanger American freedoms.
Following De Niro’s statements, the NAB announced that De Niro’s presence could distract from the philanthropic focus of their event. Despite the rescinded award, De Niro expressed gratitude towards the NAB and their mission.
Additionally, following Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments during the 2016 election, the former president’s supporters posted violent rhetoric online. This raised fears of potential unrest reminiscent of the January 2021 Capitol insurrection. Trump’s conviction has caused sharp partisan divides, with significant sections of the public and political figures reacting strongly to the outcome.
