Viewpoint: Part Robert De Niro Ought to Have Refused
For over five weeks, President Joe Biden mostly refrained from diving into the reality TV show that's been Donald Trump's ongoing criminal hush money trial in Manhattan. Biden didn't want to give into Trump's theory that he was the reason behind the former president's numerous legal issues.
Even as a procession of Republican hopefuls, sycophants, and attention-seekers visited the criminal courthouse in lower Manhattan to pay their respects to Trump, the White House was surprisingly silent. Most prominent Democrats also stayed away. In recent times, Biden has made light of the situation by jokingly saying, "I've had a great stretch since the State of the Union, but Donald's had a few rough days lately. You might call it 'stormy weather,'" at the White House Correspondents Dinner a month ago.
But Biden and his team largely steered clear of direct attacks.
That was until Tuesday. Just as the jury was getting ready to weigh Trump's fate, the Biden campaign made the decision to bring De Niro and two police officers who'd been assaulted by the insurrectionist mob on January 6 to the courthouse to speak to the media present there.
The intention was to highlight Trump's threats to democracy and overall unsuitability for office, yet the scene rapidly degenerated into a fiery exchange between De Niro and a group of Trump loyalists who ridiculed him as he insulted Trump. It made for great "Saturday Night Live" material, but not necessarily the best strategy for the campaign.
When asked if he believed Trump was guilty of the 34 charges the jury would be considering next (and for which Trump had pleaded not guilty), De Niro didn't hesitate. "The fact is whether he's acquitted, whether it's a hung jury, whatever it is, he is guilty, and we all know it," he stated.
Naturally, fingers were pointed between De Niro and the Trump supporters he taunted. Cursing ensued. And those images and De Niro's eagerness to get involved in the legal drama just prior to the trial's verdict being announced turned the focus of the story.
Who thought this was a wise move?
I'm a fan of De Niro's work and often agree with his opinions. However, considering the White House's reluctance to become involved in Trump's trials at 100 Centre Street, the timing of this event seemed odd. (It's also a bit confusing why Team Biden, who's struggling with younger voters, chose to use an octogenarian as their primary spokesperson for this issue.)
Navigating the legal morass surrounding Trump has always been a challenge for Biden. But Tuesday's bizarre spectacle signaled a startling shift from the non-confrontational, above-the-fray approach he's maintained thus far. This occurred just as the Biden campaign launched a menacing ad narrated by De Niro, targeting Trump's legal woes, impulses, and authoritarian inclinations, at a time when Democrats are fretting over polls in battleground states that presently favor Trump.
Are these attacks meant to bolster the conviction of loyalists or sway a small segment of undecided voters?
Trump's legal troubles, anti-democratic tendencies, and character flaws may already be a given. Polls show that voters prioritize domestic issues like the cost of living and abortion rights above all else.
Perhaps Biden has timed these attacks to shift the narrative and return to other themes once Trump is found guilty or acquitted. But time is running out for the campaign to craft a straightforward, unified, and compelling message that clearly shapes the race.
Naturally, the Trump campaign jumped to exploit the situation, accusing the Biden campaign of desperation and improperly influencing the jury. "He needs attention since it's been a while since he made a decent movie," said Donald Trump Jr., blatantly ignoring "Killers of the Flower Moon." "The fact that they're holding a rally right across the street from this witch hunt, right across the street, shows exactly what we've all known all along: it's a political persecution," added Trump, Jr.
The Trumps should ensure their narratives are consistent. If Biden is either a bumbling, senile old man or a mastermind manipulating a series of federal and state indictments and civil suits against his adversary, he can't be both.
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In response to the events at the Manhattan courthouse, some might question whether De Niro's involvement in expressing his opinions was strategically wise, given the White House's previous reluctance to engage with Trump's trials. Despite frequently agreeing with De Niro's opinions, some find the timing and choice of spokesperson questionable, especially as the Biden campaign aims to engage younger voters.
Given the heated exchange between De Niro and Trump supporters, some may argue that the approach deviated significantly from Biden's usual non-confrontational style and may have diverted attention from key campaign issues.
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