De Niro, born and raised in Manhattan, co-founded the Tribeca Festival in 2002 with Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff to revitalize the area after the September 11 attacks. He is also a board member of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Fox News host Jeanine Pirro told viewers, “My question for Robert De Niro, what have you done for New York City? Is there a building with your name on it? Have you built skyscrapers? Has the skyline of New York changed because of all your vision?”

Outside a lower Manhattan court before closing arguments in Trump’s hush money trial, De Niro expressed his love for New York and criticized Trump, saying, “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. He wants to sow total chaos.”

In a 2015 interview with Cigar Aficionado, De Niro elaborated on his connection to New York: “I am a New Yorker. You have so many things in New York that you don’t have in other places. People come here to find themselves from all parts of the world and the country.”

He added, “It’s a place where you can find your identity, be anonymous, or be part of a community. I like New York because it has seasons. L.A. is too spread out, and you drive all the time. It’s just not the same experience. I’m a New Yorker. I like to stay here.”

De Niro’s actions and words highlight his deep-rooted connection to New York City and his efforts to support and revitalize it.