Robert De Niro clashes with pro-Trump protesters outside hush money trial: ‘It’s a coward’s violence’

Robert De Niro turned up outside Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial along with members of Joe Biden’s campaign team on Tuesday, as lawyers inside began their closing arguments.

The Hollywood star was joined outside the Manhattan Criminal Court by January 6 first responders, police officers Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone, who became outspoken critics of Mr Trump.

Jurors in the trial were hearing final words from prosecutors and defence lawyers. Mr Trump faces 34 charges that he falsified business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult actor Stormy Daniels issued shortly before the 2016 election to cover up a 2006 affair. Mr Trump has denied the affair and has pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution has argued that he did so in furtherance of another crime – election subversion – which elevates the charges to felonies.

De Niro, a longtime supporter of Mr Biden, said Mr Trump wants to “destroy not only the city but the country and eventually he could destroy the world”.

He said Mr Trump would “never leave” if he wins in November and that Americans can “kiss these freedoms goodbye that we all take for granted”.

As he spoke, Trump supporters shouted anti-Biden chants.

Pointing to Mr Dunn and Mr Fanone, De Niro said, “These guys are the true heroes. They stood and put their lives on the line.”

When a man interrupted to call Mr Dunn and Mr Fanone “traitors” who “lied under oath”, De Niro pushed back, “I don’t even know how to deal with you, my friend… They stood there and fought for us, for you!”

The actor said that New Yorkers tolerated Mr Trump “when he was just another grubby real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot”.

“We make room for clowns… But not a person like Trump,” he added.

De Niro argued that Mr