Robert De Niro said he meant no offense when he joked at a presidential fundraiser featuring Michelle Obama that America might not be ready for a white first lady.
"My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone - especially the first lady," De Niro said in a statement.
The tough-talking actor was host of the re-election fundraiser Monday night in New York. He opened by listing the wives of Republicans running for president.
Addressing a starry exclusive crowd in the back room of Locanda Verde, De Niro deadpanned: “Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney. Now do you really think our country is ready for a white First Lady?”
The NYC crowd roared its approval, but Gingrich did not appreciate the humor. During a campaign stop in Shreveport, La., on Tuesday, he blasted the actor and called for the President to apologize on his behalf.
“I think Robert De Niro is wrong,” Gingrich said at the top of his speech at Strawn’s Eat Shop. “I think the country is ready for a new First Lady, and he doesn’t have to describe it in racial terms.”
Gingrich described De Niro’s comment as “beyond the pale,” adding: “I call on the President to apologize for him.”
The snowy-haired candidate had barely finished speaking when the First Lady’s press secretary issued this statement:
“We believe the joke was inappropriate,” said Olivia Alair.
De Niro spokesman Stan Rosenfield informed media outlets that the actor was not going to respond to Gingrich’s criticism.
“It was obvious satire,” Rosenfield said in an email.
Satire is something that the First Lady’s Secret Service contingent would appreciate.
The handful of suit-wearing, earpiece-sporting presidential protectors who stood guard outside Locanda Verde while Obama fired up the crowd inside turned out to be a real bunch of cut-ups.
"My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone - especially the first lady," De Niro said in a statement.
The tough-talking actor was host of the re-election fundraiser Monday night in New York. He opened by listing the wives of Republicans running for president.
Addressing a starry exclusive crowd in the back room of Locanda Verde, De Niro deadpanned: “Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney. Now do you really think our country is ready for a white First Lady?”
The NYC crowd roared its approval, but Gingrich did not appreciate the humor. During a campaign stop in Shreveport, La., on Tuesday, he blasted the actor and called for the President to apologize on his behalf.
“I think Robert De Niro is wrong,” Gingrich said at the top of his speech at Strawn’s Eat Shop. “I think the country is ready for a new First Lady, and he doesn’t have to describe it in racial terms.”
Gingrich described De Niro’s comment as “beyond the pale,” adding: “I call on the President to apologize for him.”
The snowy-haired candidate had barely finished speaking when the First Lady’s press secretary issued this statement:
“We believe the joke was inappropriate,” said Olivia Alair.
De Niro spokesman Stan Rosenfield informed media outlets that the actor was not going to respond to Gingrich’s criticism.
“It was obvious satire,” Rosenfield said in an email.
Satire is something that the First Lady’s Secret Service contingent would appreciate.
The handful of suit-wearing, earpiece-sporting presidential protectors who stood guard outside Locanda Verde while Obama fired up the crowd inside turned out to be a real bunch of cut-ups.
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