Robert De Niro has spoken out about Donald Trump's historic felony conviction.
The former Apprentice star was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying records to cover up hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleged she had sexual relations with Trump in 2006, a claim he has continually denied.
The ruling makes Mr Trump the first US President to be convicted of a crime and he is scheduled to return to Manhattan court on July 11 for sentencing.
In response to the verdict, De Niro, 80, branded Mr Trump a "crazy" man and claimed he was speaking out about the 2024 presidential candidate to protect the US.
Speaking to Variety while promoting his new film Ezra, he said: “I don’t want to be talking, but I am so upset by it. I have to say something. This is my country. This guy wants to destroy it. Period. He’s crazy.”
The Taxi Driver actor also admitted that he had concerns about his safety due to his outspoken criticism of Mr Trump and his actions.
“You think about that. It makes me more angry,” he continued. “But I have to be afraid to be intimidated. And that’s why I said, you’re not going to intimidate us.
“People are fed up, they’re going to fight back. That’s not what we’re about in this country.”
The Oscar winner had previously stood outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump was on trial, labeling the former president a "tyrant".
He added: “When Trump ran in 2016 it was like a joke. This buffoon running for president. No, never could happen. We have forgotten the lessons of history that showed us other clowns who weren’t taken seriously until they became vicious dictators.
“With Trump, we have a second chance, and no one is laughing now.”
The Republican candidate for President is a convicted felon.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 30, 2024
Convicted felon Donald Trump is blaming the judge, the jury and New York for being found guilty on 34 counts. He will never accept accountability for his crimes. Americans must not allow this felon anywhere near the White House again. https://t.co/UcFfAU3bv5
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) May 30, 2024
We are all cheering for justice and that no one is above the law! https://t.co/z5R7tqBvby
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) May 30, 2024
LFG
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 30, 2024
Despite his conviction, Mr Trump is still expected to campaign for the White House in this year’s upcoming election.
DeNiro wasn’t the only one speaking out about the ruling.
Author Stephen King commenting on X, formerly Twitter: “The Republican candidate for President is a convicted felon.”
Long-time Democrat Barbra Streisand also turned her attention to November’s election, posting: “Convicted felon Donald Trump is blaming the judge, the jury and New York for being found guilty on 34 counts.
“He will never accept accountability for his crimes. Americans must not allow this felon anywhere near the White House again.”
Actor John Leguizamo reposted a meme showing a bar full of people reacting joyfully to the news, captioning it with the comment: “We are all cheering for justice and that no one is above the law!”
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) May 30, 2024
NO ONE is above the law. Not even your CRIMINAL pappy @DonaldJTrumpJr!
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) May 30, 2024
You daddy is a FELON thirty four times over!#LockHerUp seems silly now, doesn’t it, little buddy?
It’s almost like you and your daddy brought this embarrassment on yourselves.
Haman in the story of…
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) May 30, 2024
Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter quipped: “34 is now my favourite number” while Katy Perry shared a short but poignant “LFG”.
Elsewhere Mark Hamill, Henry Winkler, Bette Midler and Yvette Nicole Brown echoed similar sentiments of joy about his guilty verdict on social media.
Since being found guilty, Mr Trump maintains his innocence, slamming the verdict as “rigged” and “a disgrace.”
Mr Trump also reinforced his intent to run for candidacy, stating: “The real verdict is gonna be November 5th by the people. They know what happened here, everybody knows what happened here.”
The verdict is just one of several legal challengesMr Trump faces. Last August, he was arrested in Georgia on charges of plotting to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
