Robert De Niro takes veiled shot at Trump at Tribeca Film Festival opening

Robert De Niro used opening night remarks at the Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday to deliver a thinly veiled broadside against President Trump, telling a crowd at the Beacon Theatre in New York City that “monstrous leaders” are working to divide the country for “immoral, cruel and corrupt purposes.”

The Oscar-winner used his time at the podium to speak about Tribeca’s mission as a festival founded after the Sept. 11 attacks to revitalize a section of lower Manhattan devastated by the terrorist attack.

“We’ve always recognized the power of storytelling to pull people together,” Mr. De Niro said. 

While Mr. De Niro did not name Mr. Trump directly, he told the audience the festival’s unifying principle had become “especially important” given leaders he described as “monstrous” who are “trying to force us apart.” He then turned to the crowd and asked, “We’re not going to let that happen. Are we?” — drawing massive cheers in response. 

The 25th edition of the Tribeca Festival opened with the world premiere of director Questlove’s feature documentary on Earth, Wind & Fire, with the legendary band performing a set alongside The Roots after the screening. 

The inaugural festival was launched by Mr. De Niro and his producing partner Jane Rosenthal less than a year after the Sept. 11 attacks turned a stretch of lower Manhattan into what Deadline described as “a hellscape of smoke, ash and rubble.” The festival has since grown into what Mr. De Niro called “part of the fabric of the city.” 

Mr. De Niro’s remarks at Tribeca are consistent with a pattern of public criticism of the president. Variety reported that while he refrained from naming Mr. Trump, the actor told the crowd, “You know who I’m talking about.”