"Fuck Trump": Sure, but DeNiro is No John Lennon

Hollywood is becoming increasingly cultish and out-of-touch

"Fuck Trump," shouted Robert De Niro, pumping his fists as though he'd uttered something subversive. That was all—no elaboration, no context. But the audience at the Tony Awards rose to its feet in such an over-the-top ovation that one had to wonder if they were applauding the outburst or octogenarian De Niro's ability to proffer a standing ovation of the coital variety.

There was a time when we revered actors and musicians who took risks. When John Lennon claimed The Beatles were more popular than Jesus, he incited radio boycotts and record burnings. It may not have been his intention, but the band's reputation and finances suffered because of an outlandish statement - right or wrong - that a superstar came out with.

Billie Holiday put out Strange Fruit - which criticised the lynching of black people - in 1939 at a time when promoters tried to stop her and radio stations refused to play it. Sinéad O'Connor - whatever you think of the late Irish singer's politics - risked everything by tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II on stage.

Times have changed, so it's difficult to see that act as different from DeNiro's risk-free virtue signalling. But at the time, it was career suicide.

Among the many to attack her, actor Joe Pesci said: "I'll tell you one thing, she was very lucky it wasn't my show, because if it was my show, I would have gave her such a smack."

Joe Pesci of Goodfellas & Home Alone fame

Pesci continued that he would have "grabbed her by her eyebrows".

Imagine if - before #MeToo - one of these spoilt Hollywood brats - perhaps DeNiro - had risen to shout "Fuck Harvey Weinstein". Something tells me the ovation would not have been quite so uniform and ferocious.

So where does "Fuck Trump" stand on the list of heroic and risky statements from actors? Do you imagine DeNiro rehearsing his line backstage, apprehensive about the upcoming reaction? Was he worried this might get him cancelled in the way that it did Sinéad O'Connor or that fans would burn his oeuvre in the street as they did to John Lennon?

It's a resounding no.

Imagine a Hollywood where individuals could think for themselves. One in which half the audience stood to applaud while other pockets sat, arms folded, or booed DeNiro. What a fascinating Hollywood that would be, instead of the insipid, toe-curling one we have that is typified by the creepy-nailed Ariana Grande and the other woman scraping her neck while pretending not to be a bully.

Eugh

None of this is to say "Fuck Trump" in and of itself is wrong. People should criticise their leaders. Yes, many of these celebrities suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), but those on the other side suffer from another strand of TDS that insists the man can do no wrong.

This is ridiculous.

My feeling is that Trump is neither angel nor demon; but he is a loose cannon. He's hysterically funny - sometimes deliberately, sometimes not. I recognise that his first presidency resulted in unprecedentedly little war, and his madness might be the best and quickest way to end war this time.

But I also realise it could all blow up in his and our faces. He's high risk but infinitely better than the authoritarian managed-decline proposed by Democrats.

He has said coarse things about women and stands accused of sexual assault and misconduct. His fans will say he was set up. Who knows where the truth lies? But I think the sentiment of "Fuck Trump" is not beyond the realms of acceptable thought from a public holding its leader to account.

But something is sickening about the cultish manner…

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