Robert De Niro Recites Lincoln's Civility Warning at Carnegie Hall Benefit

The Oscar-winning actor delivered excerpts from Abraham Lincoln's 'Lyceum Address' at a Tibet House US fundraiser.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Robert De Niro took the stage at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday night to recite excerpts from Abraham Lincoln's 'Lyceum Address,' a speech warning against mob violence. De Niro's reading was part of the 39th annual benefit concert for the nonprofit cultural organization Tibet House US, which featured a range of musical performances. While De Niro did not directly address current events or President Trump, his decision to recite Lincoln's call for civility was seen as a response to the divisiveness and violence in the country today.

Why it matters

De Niro's recitation of Lincoln's 'Lyceum Address' was a timely reminder of the importance of reason, morality, and respect for the Constitution during a period of heightened political and social tensions in the United States. The benefit concert also featured other artists who used their performances to denounce issues like the war in Iran, immigration policies, and a general 'spirit of violence and indifference' in the country.

The details

De Niro took the stage unannounced and delivered Lincoln's words in an even, deliberate tone, starting off hesitantly but growing more forceful as he recited the former president's call for 'reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason' to guide the nation. The 'Lyceum Address' was originally delivered by Lincoln in 1838, early in his public life, as a warning against mob violence. Composer Philip Glass had planned to premiere a symphony inspired by the address at the Kennedy Center, but canceled the performance this year, citing the venue's 'values' being in 'direct conflict' with the message of the work under the Trump administration.

  • De Niro's unannounced appearance and recitation took place on Tuesday night, March 4, 2026.
  • Lincoln delivered the 'Lyceum Address' in 1838, early in his public life.

The players

Robert De Niro

An Oscar-winning actor known for playing roles like gangsters, an avenging taxi driver, and a paranoid prize fighter.

Abraham Lincoln

The 16th President of the United States, who delivered the 'Lyceum Address' in 1838 as a warning against mob violence.

Philip Glass

A composer who used Lincoln's 'Lyceum Address' as inspiration for his Symphony No. 15, 'Lincoln,' which he had planned to premiere at the Kennedy Center before canceling the performance.

Tibet House US

A nonprofit cultural and educational organization that hosted the 39th annual benefit concert where De Niro recited Lincoln's words.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, whose policies and actions were seen as being in conflict with the message of Glass' symphony, leading the composer to cancel the Kennedy Center performance.

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What they’re saying

“Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defense. Let those materials be molded into general intelligence, sound morality, and in particular, a reverence for the constitution and laws.”

— Robert De Niro (nbcnews.com)

“The values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.”

— Philip Glass, Composer (nbcnews.com)

“Millions of meanings of what I had been hearing.”

— Elvis Costello, Musician (nbcnews.com)

The takeaway

De Niro's recitation of Lincoln's call for civility and reason during a time of divisiveness and violence in the country served as a powerful reminder of the importance of upholding democratic values and institutions, even in the face of political and social turmoil.