What did Robert De Niro witness on September 11, 2001?
Robert De Niro was returning from a meeting in Midtown Manhattan when his son called to report the first plane striking the World Trade Center. A second call followed with news of the second impact. From his office nine blocks north, De Niro watched the towers burn and fall. He later recalled needing to turn on CNN to confirm the images before his eyes. The dominant thought that stayed with him was that the city was in the middle of an apocalypse. The source repeats this sequence without adding further personal details or timelines beyond the two phone calls and the visual confirmation from the window. No additional witnesses or exact times are provided.
The immediate aftermath left Lower Manhattan largely emptied. Residents and workers stayed away for months. De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff decided the only practical response was to create an event that would draw people back to the neighborhood. The Tribeca Film Festival began with that single goal of restoring foot traffic and public life south of Canal Street. The source notes the stillness persisted for months and that cultural activity was viewed as one available tool, yet it leaves unsettled how quickly attendance recovered or which early events proved most effective.
How was the Tribeca Festival established after the attacks?
The festival's founders focused on screenings, panels and public gatherings that would bring audiences into Tribeca venues. Early editions emphasized accessibility and community participation rather than red-carpet glamour. Over the following years the event expanded into a year-round organization that supports filmmakers and runs educational programs. The 25th anniversary documentary "Tribeca 25" revisits those founding decisions and the neighborhood's recovery. The source supplies no attendance figures, budget details or specific film titles from the first years, leaving the scale of early growth unquantified.
De Niro and Rosenthal have described the project as a direct reaction to the stillness they observed in the months after 2001. They viewed cultural activity as one available tool for reconnection. The festival's growth into a broader platform for independent cinema occurred gradually, yet the original geographic focus on Lower Manhattan remained central to its identity. The source does not address whether the founding trio considered other neighborhoods or alternative formats before settling on a film festival.
What position did De Niro take on Mayor Zohran Mamdani at memorial events?
De Niro stated that Mamdani should attend the September 11 memorial ceremonies because he holds the office of mayor. He noted that he had not heard statements or actions from Mamdani that would disqualify participation. De Niro acknowledged the pain expressed by some victims' families but maintained that the mayor should still be present. He suggested the occasion could serve as a bridge for the city rather than a point of division. The source records the same statements twice, indicating emphasis but adding no new arguments.
Critics of Mamdani's attendance cited past associations with individuals accused of minimizing the attacks. De Niro described his own stance as possibly naive yet argued that excluding the sitting mayor would not serve remembrance. Rosenthal added that the role of any mayor includes efforts to unite residents across differing views. The source names Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki, Thomas Von Essen and certain victims' families as opponents but supplies no further details on their specific objections beyond the associations mentioned.
Why does De Niro continue to criticize Donald Trump and Elon Musk?
De Niro described Trump as a threat that must be stopped, with particular emphasis on safeguarding election processes. He characterized the current political moment as one that requires active defense of democratic procedures. The remarks repeated earlier public statements but were framed in the context of ongoing 2026 discussions about institutional stability. The source gives no additional quotes or specific policy examples beyond the call to protect elections.
On Musk, De Niro used the word "monster" and linked the criticism to broader concerns about technology leaders. He referenced a documentary by Alex Gibney and argued that figures once expected to provide solutions have instead contributed to new problems. The comments extended to the wider technology sector and its influence on public discourse and individual autonomy. The source does not quote further remarks or name additional technology figures.
What concerns has De Niro expressed about artificial intelligence?
De Niro highlighted risks that arise when an individual's likeness is used without consent. He participates in The Vault initiative at CAA, which aims to give performers greater control over digital representations of their image. Under this framework, any use requires explicit permission from the artist. De Niro stated that he now holds direct authority over his own likeness and can grant or withhold approval. The source supplies no technical details on how The Vault enforces consent or which other artists are involved.
He distinguished between consented uses and unauthorized applications that place words or actions in an artist's mouth. The latter category, he noted, produces statements the performer would never make. De Niro did not reject the technology outright but insisted that control must remain with the individual whose image is involved. The source leaves open whether he has encountered any specific unauthorized uses of his own image to date.
Frequently asked questions
Did Robert De Niro see the towers collapse in person?
Yes. He watched both towers burn and fall from the window of his office located nine blocks north of the World Trade Center site.
Why was the Tribeca Festival created?
The founders sought to revive activity and foot traffic in Lower Manhattan after the neighborhood became largely deserted following the 2001 attacks.
Has De Niro changed his view on Mayor Mamdani?
No. He continues to support the mayor's attendance at memorial events and sees no disqualifying statements or actions to date.
What did De Niro say about Elon Musk?
He called Musk a monster and argued that technology leaders have contributed to current societal difficulties rather than alleviating them.
How does De Niro address AI use of his image?
He requires explicit consent for any digital representation and participates in an industry initiative that formalizes performer control over such uses.
