Tony Awards: De Niro swears at Trump

Veteran actor Robert De Niro, who appeared at the The 72nd Annual Tony Awards to introduce Bruce Springsteen’s performance of a contemplative, piano-accompanied version of My Hometown, burst out with two bluntly profane blasts aimed at President Donald Trump. “I’m just going to say one thing... F**k Trump!” De Niro said at the gala on Sunday night.

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When the astonished audience broke out into a mix of laughter and gasps, he paused for a few seconds and then followed with: “It’s no longer ‘down with Trump. It’s f**k Trump!’”  He then pumped both fists. 

A spokesperson of the network CBS issued a brief statement: “Mr De Niro’s comments were unscripted and unexpected. The offensive language was deleted from the broadcast.” The network leaned on the bleep button, so none of its viewers heard the unexpurgated version of his remarks. But the live feed of the broadcasts being played in the press room was uncensored, leading to several Tony winners being asked about the head-snapping moment during their backstage press conferences.

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Winners take it all

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child won the Tony for best play while The Band’s Visit swept the musical categories with 10 wins, including the top award best musical at Broadway’s annual honors for the best in theater. Glenda Jackson and Andrew Garfield took home acting prizes and rocker Bruce Springsteen received a special Tony, while a revival of the AIDS drama Angels in America was named best play revival and Once On This Island won best musical revival. Garfield won best actor in a play for his acclaimed performance in Angels in America.