Robert De Niro's ancestral town of Ferrazzano has promised the actor refuge from a Trump presidency. The "Taxi Driver" star has been one of Hollywood's strongest voices against the president-elect.
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Renowned actor Robert De Niro has emerged as one of the sharpest voices in Hollywood to oppose US President elect Donald Trump, saying on a red carpet premiere on Saturday that he was "very depressed" about the outcome of the election.
The mayor of one Italian town would be only too happy to help the Oscar-winner dry his tears.
"If after the disappointment of Trump, he wants to take refuge here, we are ready to welcome him," said Antonio Cerio, mayor of Ferrazzano, the southern Italian town where De Niro's great-grandparents game from before they immigrated to the United States.
During the campaign, De Niro made a tongue-in-cheek remark that he would seek asylum there if Trump was elected. He has been a dual citizen of the US and Italy since 2006.
"Naturally it would be an honor and give us great pleasure," Cerio said, enjoying the high-level publicity for the medieval village of around 3,000 residents.
'I feel like I did after 9/11'
The "Raging Bull" star did not hedge his distaste for the Republican candidate during the rancorous campaign, calling Trump "a pig," as well as "an idiot" and saying he would "like to punch him in the face."
In the wake of the election results, De Niro has continued his outspoken criticism of the president elect. The New York City native told The Hollywood: "I feel like I did after 9/11."
At the world premiere of his latest film, "The Comedian," on Saturday, De Niro told reporters: "How am I doing? I'm very depressed."
"We have to just wait and see how things go and keep our eyes ever vigilant on the new government," he added.
De Niro also took the time to offer his support for the thousands of Americans who have been protesting on a daily basis since the election results were announced. When asked if he thought it was an appropriate response to Trump's electoral college victory, the actor said "yes, absolutely. Things aren't being done right."
es/rc (AFP, AP)
Trump: Mogul, populist, president
Already a real estate magnate, best-selling author and reality TV star, Donald Trump is about to become the 45th US president. Often regarded as an outlandish, comic figure, Trump will soon move into the White House.
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The family, the empire
Surrounded by the ones he loves, Donald Trump with his wife, Melania, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, his sons Eric and Donald, Jr., and grandchildren Kai and Donald John III. His three eldest children are senior vice presidents in the Trump organization.
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From millionaire to billionaire
This picture from 1984 shows Trump opening Harrah's at Trump Plaza, a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It's one of the investments that helped turn Trump, already a millionaire thanks to cash from his father, into a billionaire.
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Off to a good start
Trump inherited the money he used to launch his real estate empire from his father, Frederick. He gave his son a million dollars to start and then, upon his death, left Donald and his three siblings $400 million.
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What's in a name? Billions.
Donald Trump aggressively invested the money and experienced the market's highs and lows. Long-term success came thanks to Trump Tower in New York City. Trump has said he's worth some $10 billion, but he has not released financial information to prove the claim. Experts estimate he's worth about a third of that.
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"Very good, very smart"
That's what Trump had to say about himself. He studied at the renowned Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor's degree.
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Captain Trump
Before college, Trump was sent to a military academy at the age of 13 to learn discipline. By the time he graduated, he had earned an officer's rank at the academy. During his campaign for president, he said he enjoyed the school's structure and military culture.
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Heel spurs instead of Vietnam
Despite the military education, Trump did not serve in the Vietnam War. He received four deferments while studying and a fifth for bone spurs in his heels. Trump will be the first US president to enter the White House without having previously served in a public office or the military.
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Wife number one: Ivana
In 1977, Trump married Ivana Zelnuickova of what was then Czechoslovakia. The pair had three children together, Donald John, Jr., Ivanka Marie and Eric Fredrick. The marriage, however, was plagued with rumors of extra-marital affairs and ended in 1990. Ivana was the one who created Trump's nickname "The Donald."
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Family number two
Trump later married his second wife, Marla Maples. Maples gave birth to their daughter Tiffany in 1993.
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Girls, girls, girls
Trump seemed to enjoy being photographed with women other than his wife by his side. He often visited beauty pageants and posed with young models. From 1996 to 2015, he owned part of all the Miss Universe pageants. Trump would later come under fire for an audio recording of him saying his fame allowed him to grope women without fearing consequences.
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The Art of the Deal
How do you make a quick million? Trump's best-seller "The Art of the Deal," which was part autobiography, part instruction manual for ambitious businessmen, tried to show readers the way. Already well-known, the book solidified Trump's spot in the public spotlight.
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Mixing business and entertainment
Like no other, Trump knew how to grab the public's attention, as seen here in a show for "World Wrestling Entertainment." His unique blend of business and entertainment acumen met in the reality TV show "The Apprentice" where candidates were hired and fired. Trump's favorite line from the show: "You're fired!"
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Trump's move into politics
Though he had previously had very little contact with governing or politics, Trump announced his presidential candidacy on July 16, 2015. He used "Make America Great Again" as a political slogan and during his election campaign insulted immigrants, Muslims, women and everyone running against him.
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Off to Washington
Whether the showman morphs into a statesman will be seen over Trump's four years in the White House. Views are split as he prepares to take office. But if his life so far is anything to go by, there is no telling what will be next.