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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Oliver Wheaton

Robert De Niro repeatedly shouts 'f*** Trump' at Tony Awards, receives standing ovation

Robert De Niro left no one unsure of his opinion on Donald Trump when he took to the stage at the Tony Awards, shouting "f*** Trump" into his mic.

The American actor, 74, insulted the president before raising both fists in the air, received a raucous standing ovation from the audience.

He went on to add: "It's no longer 'down with Trump', it's f*** Trump."

The famed actor, known for his roles in The Godfather and Meet the Fockers, was introducing a performance from politically-charged songwriter Bruce Springsteen during the awards show, which saw him play his classic song "My Hometown".

The singer was praised by De Niro, who said: "Bruce, you can rock the house like nobody else and even more importantly in these perilous times, you rock the vote, always fighting for, in your own words, truth, transparency and integrity in government.

"Boy, do we need that now."

Tony Kushner, who won the award for best play revival for Angels in America during the ceremony on Sunday evening, joined the anti-Trump sentiment and supported De Niro's outburst.

He said: "I can’t believe De Niro did that.

"Good for him. I mean, it’s Robert De Niro. Who’s going to argue with him?"

Kushner even referred to Mr Trump's presidency as "the Hitler mistake", claiming that a "borderline psychotic narcissist" has become one of the most powerful people in the world.

Mr Trump refused to sign a joint communique with the other G7 leaders during a summit at the weekend, and is currently in Singapore to hold historic talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The talks will mark the first time a sitting American president and a North Korean leader have met.

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