In a bold and unexpected move, Robert De Niro took the stage at Carnegie Hall’s benefit concert, not to deliver a speech of his own, but to channel the timeless words of Abraham Lincoln. And this is the part most people miss—amidst a career defined by iconic roles as gangsters, avenging taxi drivers, and paranoid prize fighters, De Niro chose to recite a call for civility, a message that feels eerily relevant today. But here’s where it gets controversial: in a politically charged era, De Niro’s choice to avoid direct commentary on current events or figures like Donald Trump, whom he’s openly criticized, speaks volumes. Instead, he leaned into Lincoln’s 1838 Lyceum Address, a warning against mob violence and a plea for reason, morality, and reverence for the Constitution. “Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defense,” De Niro intoned, his voice steady yet impassioned. “Let those materials be molded into general intelligence, sound morality, and in particular, a reverence for the constitution and laws.” This wasn’t just a performance—it was a statement.
The evening, part of the 39th annual benefit for Tibet House US, featured a star-studded lineup, from Laurie Anderson and Elvis Costello to Maya Hawke and Allison Russell. Yet, despite Trump’s name rarely being spoken, his shadow loomed large. Performers subtly denounced the administration’s policies, from the war against Iran to immigration crackdowns, all while celebrating the universality of music. Costello’s rendition of Nick Lowe’s “(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” felt like a direct rebuke to the divisiveness of the times, though he didn’t need to say it outright.
But here’s the real question: Was this concert a refuge from politics, or was it inherently political? Philip Glass, whose Symphony No. 15 “Lincoln” was inspired by the same address, had canceled its premiere at the Kennedy Center earlier this year, citing Trump’s influence over the venue. “The values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony,” Glass stated. Meanwhile, Trump’s recent announcement of the center’s closure for renovations only deepened the rift between art and politics.
The night was a tapestry of sounds and messages, from the Drepung Gomang Monks’ invocation to avant-garde compositions, folk tunes, and even an unfinished song by Christian Lee Hutson. Maya Hawke, granddaughter of Tibet House co-founder Robert Thurman, performed alongside Hutson, her new husband, adding a personal touch to the evening. Thurman himself opened the night with a sermon on the universal right to happiness—a sentiment that felt both aspirational and urgent.
As the concert concluded, one couldn’t help but wonder: In a world increasingly defined by division, can art still bridge the gaps? And if so, at what cost? What do you think? Is De Niro’s choice to invoke Lincoln a call to action, or a retreat from the fray? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation that’s just getting started.
