Robert De Niro stripped of award after Trump's tirade

Robert De Niro called Trump supporters “gangsters” outsider of the court where the former president was tried Author: SETH WENIG/AP

Robert De Niro was stripped of the prestigious award after launching into a tirade against Donald Trump outside the courthouse where the former president was being tried.

De Niro was scheduled to receive the award from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. next week.

But the 80-year-old Oscar-winning actor will now not receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Leadership Foundation.

The organization, which calls itself » bipartisan,» said she feared De Niro's presence at her event would be a «distraction» from her work.

Last week, De Niro launched a furious spat with Trump supporters, calling the former president a «loser» and branding his followers «gangsters.»

He added: «When Trump ran in 2016, it was like a joke.»

The actor continued: «This buffoon running for president? No, that could never happen. We've forgotten the lessons of history, which showed us other clowns who weren't taken seriously until they became brutal dictators.»

'Trump Derangement Syndrome'

He accused Trump of trying to «wreak utter chaos» in the US.

The former president responded in kind in a social media post, calling the actor «crazy» suffering from «an incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.»

De Niro's outburst was too much for NAB. , which canceled the award.

«This event is bipartisan and brings together people from across the political spectrum to recognize the effective work of local broadcasters and our partners,» the organization said in a statement.

Although While we strongly support every American's right to free speech and civic engagement, it is clear that Mr. De Niro's recent high-profile activities will detract from the charitable work we had hoped to recognize.

De Niro, who supported Joe Biden's fundraising campaign, did not criticize the foundation for depriving him of this honor.

“I support the work of the NAB Leadership Foundation and would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for what the Foundation has done and will continue to do for the benefit of us all, and I wish them success in their continued good work.»