Consistency is overrated in these trying political times. So it's not all that surprising to see Robert De Niro is changing his tune on one Donald J. Trump, US president-elect. During the campaign, the Goodfella went Raging Bull on Trump like a Taxi Driver in a New York, New York traffic jam. (Meet the Parents.) He called Trump "blatantly stupid," a "bullshit artist," a "punk," a "dog," a "mutt," a "con," an "idiot," an "embarrassment to this country," and a "pig." And who could forget when the two-time Oscar winner said of the Republican nominee that he'd "like to punch him in the face."
But according to The Hill, De Niro is evolving on the Trump issue. At the White House, where he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday, De Niro told reporters that the punch fantasy was more "symbolic," and that although "many people told [him], 'You said what I'd want to say,'" he no longer quite felt that way.
"I would only say that we're all hoping, waiting and hoping, that he will lead the country in a way that'll benefit everyone and benefit our neighbors around the world," De Niro said, adding: "We're waiting and hoping, and we'll see."
It's a pretty stunning turnaround, an indication that the "give Trump a chance" stage of the transition process is in full effect. Or maybe they just found some common ground on vaccines?
