Robert De Niro’s outspoken comments on Donald Trump have cost him a prestigious honor. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has decided to withdraw their planned award for the actor due to his recent political remarks.
De Niro was scheduled to receive the NAB Leadership Foundation’s Service to America Award next week in Washington, D.C. However, his recent comments in New York City, prior to Trump’s conviction, seem to be the reason for the organization’s change of heart.
In their statement, the NAB emphasized the bipartisan nature of their event, which aims to unite people from across the political spectrum to celebrate the work of local broadcasters and their partners. They explained, “While we strongly support the right of every American to exercise free speech and participate in civic engagement, it is clear that Mr. De Niro’s recent high-profile activities will create a distraction from the philanthropic work that we were hoping to recognize.”
They concluded, “To maintain the focus on service of the award winners, Mr. De Niro will no longer be attending the event.”
De Niro responded to this decision by expressing his continued support for the NAB Leadership Foundation. He told The Hill, “I support the work of the NAB Leadership Foundation and would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for what the Foundation has done and will continue to do for the good of us all, and I wish them well for their continued good work.”
This development is particularly noteworthy given De Niro’s long-standing and well-known criticism of Trump. Despite his history of vocal opposition, it appears that his recent comments were deemed too controversial for the NAB.
