On Tuesday night at Carnegie Hall, Robert De Niro took center stage to a warm reception before reciting passages from a Philip Glass symphony inspired by Abraham Lincoln. The event spotlighted the actor’s delivery of a call for civility, drawn from Lincoln’s 1838 Lyceum Address, a historic speech warning against mob violence and its threat to democracy and the rule of law.
Performing for Tibet House US’s Annual Benefit Concert
De Niro appeared as a prominent figure during the 39th annual benefit concert hosted by Tibet House US, a nonprofit dedicated to cultural and educational efforts. Alongside him were acclaimed artists Laurie Anderson, Elvis Costello, Maya Hawke, and Allison Russell. De Niro, now 82, read segments from Lincoln’s speech originally given in Springfield, Illinois, to caution young citizens about the erosion of legal order through unchecked mob actions.
Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15 Inspired by Lincoln’s Message
The evening also centered around Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15, titled Lincoln, which uses Lincoln’s speech as its thematic foundation. Glass himself co-directed the benefit concert after canceling a planned premiere of the symphony at the Kennedy Center in June. He withdrew the performance following controversy over the inclusion of President Donald Trump’s name in association with the venue.
“Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony,”
Glass stated when announcing his decision.
“Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.”
De Niro’s Ongoing Critique of Trump Without Direct Mention
While performing at Carnegie Hall, De Niro refrained from naming Trump directly, despite frequently criticizing the former president in recent years. Just a week prior, De Niro urged peaceful protests, warning the U.S. was on the brink of “imploding” and that it was crucial to prevent Trump from gaining further influence in upcoming midterm elections.
“It’s about our country imploding. It’s not like something outside. It’s something inside. We can’t allow it. If we allow Trump to go any further, he’ll just take more and more and more and more. People have to push back peacefully in the streets all the time, everywhere from now through the midterms,”
De Niro told The Guardian.
He added,
“I don’t even use the word ‘hope’ anymore but the midterms are crucial, as everybody knows. The goal is to get rid of Trump because everything goes if he’s not gotten rid of.”
Emotional Plea at the ‘State of the Swamp’ Summit
De Niro delivered an impassioned address at the State of the Swamp summit held in Washington, D.C. on February 24, a counter-event to the traditional State of the Union address. There, the actor expressed dismay over the current state of the nation, describing a sense of shame rather than pride in being American amidst the political climate.
“Our country isn’t so lovable right now,”
he said.
“In the current climate, declaring love for our country is like an abused spouse professing love for their abuser.”
Reflecting on his immigrant heritage, De Niro acknowledged gratitude for the opportunities America provided but lamented,
“my heart is broken as I’m seeing them taken away.”
Questioning Patriotism in Today’s America
He challenged the crowd by posing a series of rhetorical questions about the state of the country’s morality and policies:
Love our country? Let me ask you, can you love a country where our neighbours are shot down in the streets by masked government thugs? Can you love a country that denies health care for tens of millions of our fellow citizens?—Robert De Niro
Can you love a country that ends contributions to sick and starving people around the world, causing hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths, many of them innocent children. Can you love a country that trashes our economy to give tax breaks to its billionaire cronies? Can you love a country that denies science and sacrifices the climate, the very air our children breathe? Can you love a country that pardons violent criminals and protects pedophiles?
He concluded his series of questions with a statement on how he feels personally:
I feel betrayed by my country,
De Niro Criticizes Trump’s Impact on America and Calls for Unity
One day before the Washington summit, De Niro appeared on Nicolle Wallace’s podcast, The Best People, where he escalated his criticism of Trump, calling him the nation’s enemy and urging unity to remove him from power.
Trump is the enemy of this country, let’s not kid ourselves,
De Niro said.
It’s that simple. Everybody has to stick together to get them out and get back on track. We can all argue and fight about our little differences and all that. This is the big problem.
He underscored the importance of broad participation in democratic resistance:
Everybody has to get out there every way possible. This is our country. You know, I want my country back. I don’t want everybody going around with their MAGA flags and American flags like they’re the only ones (who are patriotic). We are Americans, too. And there are more of us because we believe in what’s right and wrong, empathy and kindness.
Trump’s Response Targets Lawmakers and De Niro
Following his State of the Union address on February 25, Donald Trump responded sharply to De Niro and Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib in a post on Truth Social. He referred to the lawmakers with harsh language, describing them as
“LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized.”
Trump continued:
When people can behave like that, and knowing that they are Crooked and Corrupt Politicians, so bad for our Country, we should send them back from where they came — as fast as possible. They can only damage the United States of America, they can do nothing to help it.
Turning his attention to De Niro, Trump wrote:
They should actually get on a boat with Trump Deranged Robert De Niro, another sick and demented person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ, who has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying — some of which is seriously CRIMINAL!
He added:
When I watched him break down in tears last night, much like a child would do, I realized that he may be even sicker than Crazy Rosie O’Donnell, who is right now in Ireland trying to figure out how to come back into our beautiful United States.
The only difference between De Niro and Rosie is that she is probably somewhat smarter than him, which isn’t saying much. The good news is that America is now Bigger, Better, Richer, and Stronger than ever before, and it’s driving them absolutely crazy!
The Broader Implications of De Niro’s Carnegie Hall Appearance
Robert De Niro’s recitation at Carnegie Hall carried not only artistic significance but also a political resonance reflecting the deep divisions in America. Drawing on Abraham Lincoln’s timeless warning about the dangers of mob violence and lawlessness, De Niro’s performance served as a contemporary call to uphold democracy and civility amidst widespread political turmoil.
The partnership with Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15, itself a musical embodiment of Lincoln’s ideals, strategically connected past and present concerns about leadership, governance, and social responsibility. The event also highlighted tensions with cultural institutions such as the Kennedy Center, revealing conflicts over values and political affiliations.
As the U.S. approaches crucial midterm elections, De Niro’s vocal advocacy for peaceful activism and a return to foundational principles emphasizes the urgency many feel about the nation’s direction. His criticism of policies that deny healthcare, undermine science, and erode economic fairness underscores a broader debate about America’s identity and future.
The exchange between De Niro and Trump exemplifies the intense polarization characterizing current public discourse, with influential voices clashing over patriotism, leadership, and the country’s moral compass. De Niro’s Carnegie Hall performance will likely be remembered as a poignant moment where art, history, and politics intersected amid pressing national challenges.
