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—from gangsters to avenging taxi drivers—De Niro chose to recite a call for civility, a message that feels eerily relevant today. But here’s where it gets controversial: was this a subtle commentary on our current political climate, or simply a tribute to Lincoln’s enduring wisdom? Let’s dive in.
With a steady, measured tone, De Niro delivered Lincoln’s 1838 Lyceum Address, a speech that warns against mob violence and champions reason, morality, and reverence for the law. ‘Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defense,’ he intoned, his voice growing firmer with each word. It’s a message that feels both timeless and urgent, especially in a nation grappling with division and discord. But why this speech? And why now?
De Niro’s performance was part of the 39th annual benefit concert for Tibet House US, a nonprofit cultural and educational organization. The event featured a diverse lineup of artists, from Laurie Anderson and Elvis Costello to Maya Hawke and Allison Russell. While De Niro didn’t explicitly address current events or President Donald Trump—a figure he’s openly criticized for years—his choice of Lincoln’s words spoke volumes. The Lyceum Address itself inspired Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15, ‘Lincoln,’ which was slated to premiere at the Kennedy Center until Glass canceled the performance, citing conflicts with the center’s leadership and its association with Trump’s ‘woke’ culture battles.
Here’s the kicker: Trump’s name was barely mentioned during the nearly three-hour show, but his presence loomed large. Performers subtly denounced policies like the war against Iran, ICE practices, and a perceived culture of violence and indifference. Elvis Costello’s rendition of Nick Lowe’s ‘(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding’ felt particularly poignant, its 50-year-old lyrics resonating as if written yesterday.
The night was a celebration of music’s universality, blending genres and eras. It began with an invocation by the Drepung Gomang Monks, segued into Philip Glass’s avant-garde compositions, and featured everything from folk and gospel to protest songs and Broadway hits. Highlights included Allison Russell and Toro y Moi’s duet of the Rolling Stones’ ‘Wild Horses’ and Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) performing Paul McCartney’s ‘Maybe I’m Amazed.’ Christian Lee Hutson even shared an unfinished song, promising to refine it further—a metaphor, perhaps, for our own ongoing journey toward progress.
The evening also had a personal touch: Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, performed a duet with her now-husband, Hutson. Her grandfather, Robert Thurman, co-founder of Tibet House and a renowned Buddhist scholar, opened the night with a sermon on the universal right to happiness—a message that felt especially fitting given Hawke’s recent Valentine’s Day wedding.
So, here’s the question for you: Was De Niro’s choice to recite Lincoln’s words a call to action, a critique of our times, or simply a reminder of history’s lessons? And in a world as divided as ours, can art and music truly bridge the gaps? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation worth having.
