Robert De Niro on Biden pulling out: 'Act of shrewd politics and selfless patriotism'

Actor Robert De Niro, who is a vocal supporter of the Democrats, has broken silence on Joe Biden pulling out of the 2024 US Presidential Election race.

Praising the incumbent president's decision, De Niro said it was important to defeat Donald Trump now. He said, "In an act of shrewd politics and selfless patriotism, Joe Biden is stepping aside to clear the path for another Democrat to become president . . . because there is nothing more important for our country than defeating Donald Trump at the ballot box. With respect, admiration, and affection, thank you Mr. President!”

In his earlier show of support for Biden and opposition to Trump, De Niro came as a surprise guest at Biden's presidential campaign press meet outside the Manhattan courthouse, where closing arguments over Trump's "hush money" case were underway.

Calling Trump's 2016 presidential campaign a "joke," De Niro said the second bid Trump is taken should be seen seriously, as "clowns" like him weren't taken seriously until they turned "vicious dictators."

US President Joe Biden, who was not in the best of his health and thereby flunked during the debate, officially quit his re-election campaign after pressure from his party members. He endorsed sitting Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's candidate to take on Donald Trump in the November election.