The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) was scheduled to present actor Robert De Niro with its most prestigious award - the Leadership Foundation's Service to America Award next week. That isn't going to happen now.

NAB describes itself as "proudly non-partisan", so when De Niro participated in a Biden-Harris campaign event in front of the Manhattan courthouse where Trump's hush money trial was wrapping up, the association rescinded the honor. 

Before everyone gets all riled up about De Niro's freedom of speech, the NAB said it isn't about free speech. It's about distractions. 

'This event is proudly bipartisan, uniting those from across the political spectrum to celebrate the impactful work of local broadcasters and our partners,' an NAB spokesman told The Hill.

'While we strongly support the right of every American to exercise free speech and participate in civic engagement, it is clear that Mr. De Niro's recent high-profile activities will create a distraction from the philanthropic work that we were hoping to recognize.

'To maintain the focus on service of the award winners, Mr. De Niro will no longer be attending the event.'

It's pretty amazing for an organization that is within the scope of the entertainment industry to slap down a Trump-deranged actor. The NAB is "the voice for the nation's radio and television broadcasters. As the premier trade association for broadcasters, NAB advances the interests of our members in federal government, industry, and public affairs; improves the quality and profitability of broadcasting; encourages content and technology innovation; and spotlights the important and unique ways stations serve their communities," according to its website.  

This year's winners of leadership awards are listed on the website. They recognize groups that do good work for veterans, local community organizations, children's literacy programs, mental health support, and so on. None appear to be politically motivated. 

The awards ceremony is on June 4 in Washington, D.C. 

The Corporate Leadership Award is presented to a leading business outside of the broadcast industry, showcasing an outstanding dedication to community service and corporate social responsibility.

This year, Mutual of Omaha will receive the honor during the 2024 Celebration of Service to America Awards.

De Niro responded, or at least his publicist did. 

“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 good of us all, and I wish them well for their continued good work,” he told The Hill.

The bizarre performance by De Niro included the announcement by the Biden-Harris campaign that De Niro had joined the campaign. He narrated a campaign ad and he was chosen to rant against Trump in front of the courthouse. The NAB understandably had to distance itself from the 80-year-old hyper-political actor. 

Most surprising about the lame campaign event was how poorly De Niro performed. 

Speaking to the press there, he warned that if Trump were to return to the White House, “he will never leave.”

“I love this city. I don’t want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city, but the country. And eventually, he could destroy the world,” De Niro added.

He sounds like a character out of Pinky and The Brain. Who wrote that screed? It sounded like De Niro was reading his remarks for the first time. Why can't a professional actor with the talent of De Niro ad-lib? He has lots of experience ranting against Donald Trump. He does it every time he is in front of a camera. His profanity-laced hatred of Trump is well-documented. 

Trump has a record in office and that includes when the day arrived for Biden's inauguration. Trump and Melania walked across the White House lawn to Marine One to leave, as every modern president has done. He contested the election results but he didn't refuse to leave. That's the problem with so much of the saving democracy hyperbole coming from Biden and his campaign - Trump didn't destroy the world the country, or New York City while he was in office. At least half of the country would say he made the country and the world better.

If De Niro wants to officially join the Biden campaign, he is free to do so. But, that decision brings consequences. I think using an angry old man to speak for an angry old Biden isn't a great choice but maybe that is just me.