Trump supporter raises 'Keep America Great!' flag during De Niro-directed play 'A Bronx Tale: The Musical'
On Saturday, a performance of Robert De Niro's self-directed play - “A Bronx Tale: The Musical” - was 'disrupted' by a Trump supporter who stood up during the curtain call and waved a "Keep America Great!" flag toward the audience who were attending the show, promoting Trump’s bid for re-election in 2020, reported The New York Post.
Audience member Joe Del Vicario shared a photo on his twitter showing the Broadway protest, with the caption: "The times we live in."
“At the end of [the performance], a man turned around and faced the audience to show us how big of a pair he has,” Del Vicario said. “He was escorted shortly after.”
“It’s sad that people can’t enjoy a beautiful show and embrace its unifying message without politicizing it,” he said.
Hordes of users on social media commented on what happened Saturday night towards the end of the 8 pm show "A Bronx Tale". It has been directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks and De Niro himself.
The fervent supporter stood up in the front row with the "Keep America Great" campaign flag as cast members took their final bow, according to photos posted on Twitter. The flag said, "TRUMP 2020."
It is fascinating when you consider the difference between sending a peaceful message and a full-blown "disruption" of an event, which clearly did not happen. In fact, many are of the opinion that the fact that the Trump supporter sat through the entire performance of the play and only then displayed his flag from the front row, goes to show that one can be appreciative of an artist even if their political inclinations do not match with theirs.
However, liberal Hollywood is not exactly known for its objectivity, hence the outrage.
Having said that, the man's demonstration appears to be an indirect retort to the derogatory comments De Niro made during the Tony Awards last week, saying "F-k Trump" and receiving a standing ovation for it.
The hair department supervisor on “A Bronx Tale”, Brian Strumwasser, said the man "disrespected" the cast and crew.
“Whoever the low life scum bag who thinks it’s ok to post their political views at a Broadway show and disrespect everyone there who paid to watch a show that is ALL ABOUT INCLUSION was thankfully removed from the theater Saturday night,” Strumwasser wrote on Instagram.
“Robert De Niro is one of our directors and has started in the movie and was able to make 6000 people roar and cheer @thetonyawards for saying ‘F*CK TRUMP,'” Strumwasser added. “If @realdonaldtrump wants to visit @bronxtalemusical maybe he himself will learn what racism is and how we deal with it. #f–ktrump…#dontf–kwiththebronx.”
That being said, supporters of Trump are not ones to keep mum and bear unwarranted abuse at the hands of others, and this was not the first time that the people spoke out.
Last summer, during a Central Park production of "Julius Caesar", two people jumped on stage to protest its depiction of Trump, which was, of course, in bad taste.
De Niro's impassioned speech against Trump at the Tony Awards drew both praise and criticism from Hollywood.
The veteran actor, who has performed some exceptional roles in Hollywood, is not so full of substance when it comes to his narrative against the Trump administration. Back in January, De Niro took to ranting against the president and his White House while delivering a speech at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala.
“Our baby-in-chief—the jerk-off-in-chief, I call him—has put the press under siege, ridiculing it and trying to discredit it through outrageous attacks and lies,” De Niro said. “This fucking idiot is the president. It’s The Emperor’s New Clothes—the guy is a fucking fool … our baby-in-chief—the ‘Jerk-off-in-chief’ I call him.”
Having said that, President Trump was bound to hit back against the actor, and he did, via his most favorite medium, Twitter.
“Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ individual, has received too many shots to the head by real boxers in movies. I watched him last night and truly believe he may be “punch-drunk.” I guess he doesn’t…”
“…realize the economy is the best it’s ever been with employment being at an all-time high, and many companies pouring back into our country. Wake up Punchy!”
The Taxi Driver star has been railing against President Trump ever since he took office, with his most recent tirade being the Tony Awards performance in New York earlier this month.
The 74-year-old was introducing a performance by Bruce Springsteen when he said: "First, I wanna say, f*** Trump... It's no longer down with Trump, it's f*** Trump."
Addressing Springsteen, he further added: "Even more important in these perilous times, you rock the vote. Always fighting for, in your own words, truth, transparency, and integrity in government. Boy, do we need that now."