Rob Schneider, the actor known for his comedic roles, recently recounted an intense moment he had with Robert De Niro that highlighted their opposing political views. Instead of escalating their conversation into a heated debate, Schneider chose a different path to ease the tension.
When approached for comment, Newsweek contacted both actors via email, but there was no response prior to publication.
The Background
The division over political opinions, especially regarding Donald Trump, has often put friends and colleagues on opposite sides. Many in Hollywood lean liberal, making Schneider’s support for Trump particularly notable in circles where it stands out.
Schneider has openly backed Trump, while De Niro is one of his most vocal opposers.
What Went Down
During the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live, Schneider and De Niro found themselves seated only a few rows apart. Planting himself in the moment, Schneider recognized De Niro two rows ahead and hoped to avoid any awkwardness due to their political differences. He was keen on enjoying the stellar event rather than letting politics spoil it.
But as fate would have it, the night ended with the two actors converging in a tight space where the conversation inevitably steered towards politics.
“I ran into him, and he turned around with his signature look, basically asking, ‘How could you support that guy?’” recounted Schneider.
Sensing that De Niro was ready to confront him head-on, Schneider decided to avoid any conflict. Instead of arguing, he simply told De Niro, “I love you.”
This unexpected response seemed to lighten the moment, and Schneider views it as an act of grace on his part.
“It was the right thing to do,” he mentioned. “We’re not going to ‘win’ with cancel culture. By ‘we,’ I mean society as a whole.”
Notably, before Trump’s presidency, both actors shared screen time in the beloved movie Home Alone 2, where Schneider played a bellman, and Trump made a cameo. Having officially distanced himself from the Democratic Party back in 2013, Schneider voted for Trump in 2016 and backed his 2024 campaign following Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s withdrawal.
While discussing his experience, Schneider revealed a sense of being sidelined in Hollywood due to his political stance and expressed that he’s likely lost several friends over these issues.
In summary, during his dialogue with The Epoch Times, Schneider argued that engaging in political quarrels will not progress the country forward and affirmed the necessity for communities to find a shared understanding.
