Before New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended yesterday’s 25th anniversary 9/11 remembrance at Ground Zero, liberal Hollywood actor Robert De Niro was already defending his right to be there. The controversy had exploded as more than 100,000 people signed an online petition urging Mamdani to stay away, amid anger over his past rhetoric about the NYPD and his political associations.
Asked before the memorial whether Mamdani should attend, De Niro told The Hollywood Reporter, “I don’t see why he shouldn’t come.” De Niro noted that Mamdani is the mayor and argued that people should give him a chance rather than hold him responsible for what happened on September 11, 2001.
But De Niro also acknowledged that Mamdani’s past rhetoric about police was a legitimate problem. Mamdani previously called for defunding police and described the NYPD as “racist, anti-queer and a major threat to public safety.” When confronted with those remarks, De Niro conceded, “Well he did say it. And, of course, it’s ridiculous.”
De Niro nevertheless maintained that Mamdani belonged at the memorial, saying, “But I still think he should be at the memorial.” He suggested the mayor could use the solemn occasion “as a bridge” to bring New Yorkers together.
Thanks to Florida Hillbilly for the art and inspiration.


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