US Polls 2024: Robert De Niro Relays Kamala Harris' Message: Democrats Don't Get Complacent

Robert De Niro and Steve Buscemi were among Hollywood stars who joined ‘Paisans for Kamala,’ a live-stream event featuring Italian American celebrities rallying support for the Harris-Walz presidential campaign.

Robert De Niro opened the event, hosted by comedian Paul Mecurio, former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, and former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino Jr. He shared his optimism for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s chances in the 2024 election but stressed the importance of not getting complacent.

‘I’m very optimistic about it all,’ he said.

‘I’m very excited, but to me, it ain’t over till it’s over. So we can’t for one second think that we’re ahead of this thing. We just have to be on it all the time until the very end because they’re going to try everything when the election day comes. When will these things be final? What will they question? What will they play games about? We know it’s coming, we see it coming. We have to just be ever vigilant, and it’s not over till it’s over,’ he said.

De Niro added that he hopes, if the Democratic ticket of Harris and Walz defeats the Republican ticket of Trump and JD Vance, there won't be a repeat of the January 6 Capitol riot.

‘Hopefully, if God willing that it’s Kamala and Walz, that the ones who make the big thing and what happened [on] January 6, I think people will think twice about doing something about that no matter what Trump says, because … people pay a price, and is it worth it for them? Especially following someone like him? You know, it’s just insane,’ he said.

De Niro hopes that some Trump supporters will find something in the Harris-Walz ticket that resonates with them.

‘I think people who would normally support Trump … could very well see that that there is a way with them that’s more for them than with Trump because Trump doesn’t offer anything,” he added. “And we’ve seen this before in other countries and other societies and other times in history, they think they can control someone like him. But once he becomes the boss … if God forbid, he becomes the boss, all the people who thought they could control him, they’re gonna find out differently,’ he added.

Steve Buscemi also spoke at the event, describing Harris as ‘smart, strong, kind, tough, inclusive, and uniquely qualified.’

He also highlighted critical issues such as affordable healthcare, education, green initiatives, and sensible gun laws. He expressed confusion over the banning of books instead of automatic weapons and stressed the importance of a woman's right to choose and respecting people’s decision not to have children.

‘Everyone has a stake in our future. Sorry, JD,’ he remarked, addressing Republican candidate JD Vance.

Buscemi also voiced concerns about a second Trump presidency, acknowledging that no candidate is perfect but emphasizing the value of free speech, peaceful protest, and the right to vote.

‘What worries me about another Trump administration is his 'my-way-or-the-highway' mentality. He claims to hire the best people, but fired most of them. This time, he'd surround himself with loyalists who align only with him,’ Buscemi said, warning that Trump would do anything to stay in power, even inciting violence.

Other stars in the livestream included Mark Ruffalo, Lorraine Bracco, Lisa Ann Walter, and Marisa Tomei.

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