What did Robert De Niro say about Joe Biden dropping out of presidential race? Actor has appeared in POTUS' ad calling Trump a "tyrant"

Two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro recently called US President Joe Biden's decision to step aside from the 2024 presidential race an act of "shrewd politics and selfless patriotism."

In a statement to ITK on July 21, the 80-year-old stressed that nothing is more important than stopping Donald Trump from getting re-elected as the President. He expressed his gratitude to President Joe Biden for the selfless act.

“In an act of shrewd politics and selfless patriotism, Joe Biden is stepping aside to clear the path for another Democrat to become president because 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!” commented De Niro.

He was speaking outside the Manhattan courthouse during the closing arguments of Donald Trump’s "hush money" trial.

President Joe Biden dropped the surprise announcement on July 21 via the POTUS X account. He selected current Vice President Kamala Harris as the right person to fight against Donald Trump in upcoming elections.

This declaration comes after a week of unrest in the US Presidential election saga, in which President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt.

Robert De Niro has been one of the biggest celebrity backers of the Democratic Party. He has been involved in Joe Biden's Presidential campaigns many times. In fact, De Niro appeared in an ad campaign for the Democrats and Joe Biden in May 2024 and referred to Donald Trump as a "tyrant."

“Now he’s promising to use our own military to attack U.S. citizens. That’s the tyrant, that is the tyrant he is telling us he will be, and believe me, he means it,” commented De Niro.

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Robert De Niro got into a verbal feud with pro-Trump supporters in May

De Niro at the "Killers Of The Flower Moon" Photocall - The 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

In May 2024, Robert De Niro was at the helm of a news conference held by the Democrats outside a Manhattan courtroom when Donald Trump was on trial over his "hush-money" scandal, resulting in 34 total charges. However, the scene soon turned ugly as pro-Trump supporters got involved in a verbal clash with the actor.

"The Twin Towers fell just over here, just over there. This part of the city was like a ghost town, but we vowed we would not allow terrorists to change our way of life. I love this city. I don't want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city but the country, and eventually he can destroy the world," commented Robert De Niro.

Furthermore, De Niro hinted at Donald Trump being a dictator and instigated the crowd by saying that elections would be a thing of the past if Trump was re-elected as the President.

"If Trump returns to the White House, you can kiss these freedoms goodbye that we all take for granted. And elections — forget about it. That's over; that's done. If he gets in, I can tell you right now, he will never leave," implored Rober De Niro.

However, things became ugly very quickly when Robert De Niro was on his way to his car after the speech. Many Trump supporters called him a "wannabe" and a "sell-out." However, De Niro was calm and answered them.

"You're not going to intimidate. That's what Trump does. We are going to fight back. We're trying to be gentlemen in this world, the Democrats. You are gangsters. You are gangsters!" commented Robert De Niro.

The Republican Party replied a few days later, as spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized Robert De Niro's acting career. The Former Assistant White House Press Secretary called the Democrats out for allegedly recruiting "washed up" actors to do their bidding and further their cause in the election.

Closing Arguments Begin In Former President Donald Trump's Hush Money Trial (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

She also commented that those people had no idea about the "real problems that the people in this city and across this country are facing."