Robert De Niro Slams Trump, Mocks Mitch McConnell at Democratic Fundraiser
The actor hosted a New York event for Senate candidates Sherrod Brown and James Talarico, criticizing former President Trump and referencing McConnell's health.
Robert De Niro has voiced his strong opposition to former President Donald Trump by supporting Democratic Senate candidates, speaking at a private fundraising event in Manhattan.
The Oscar-winning actor appeared Tuesday night at a private Ohio-Texas Victory Fund reception, where attendees reportedly paid between $500 and $27,000 to participate. The event was partially organized by celebrity jeweler Alexis Bittar, known for his role in fundraising for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's 2025 victory.
De Niro addressed the attendees for approximately 10 minutes, focusing his remarks on criticisms of Trump and the Republican party. He accused Trump and his family of profiting from the presidency while ordinary Americans faced financial difficulties. The actor also raised questions about Trump's financial dealings, including reported oil and gas holdings during the Iran conflict and allegations regarding his sons' investments in defense companies that benefited from increased Pentagon spending.
Senate Race Remarks
Turning his attention to the Senate, De Niro endorsed candidates Sherrod Brown of Ohio and James Talarico of Texas. He argued that their victories could have made a difference in key votes, citing a recent failed vote that aimed to direct Trump to end the Iran war. De Niro suggested that had Brown or Talarico been serving in the Senate, they could have provided the single vote needed for its passage.
De Niro also made a pointed remark about the health of longtime Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. He told the crowd that if Brown and Talarico win their respective races, it would mean Republicans would not need to "make Mitch McConnell leave his coffin to cast the deciding vote." The comment was met with cheers from the audience.
McConnell, 84, has been largely out of the public eye since a fall in June that required hospitalization and rehabilitation. He returned to the Senate on September 14, approximately three months after his initial absence, casting a vote on a judicial nomination from a wheelchair. McConnell stated at the time that he was not yet at "100%" but was focused on legislative matters such as the pending farm bill and support for Ukraine, and planned to continue physical therapy.
De Niro's Political History
De Niro's criticism of Trump dates back to at least 2011, when he spoke out against Trump's promotion of the "birther" conspiracy theory. However, his political activism predates his feud with Trump. He has a history of supporting Democratic candidates, including Al Gore in 2000, John Kerry in 2004, and Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. He endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2015 and became a vocal critic of Trump during the 2016 campaign and presidency. De Niro later endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and 2024, appearing in campaign advertisements and at a campaign event related to Trump's New York criminal trial.
The Daily Mail reached out to McConnell's team for comment.