Former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio hosted a virtual dinner event in support of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid, with many high-profile Italian Americans in attendance. The event aimed to unite Italian Americans in support of Harris while criticizing former President Trump’s immigration policies from the perspective of descendants of Italian immigrants. De Blasio highlighted a visit to Nancy D’Alesandro-Pelosi’s childhood home in Little Italy, Baltimore, emphasizing the importance of coming together as a family to support political candidates.
During the event, a conversation between De Niro and Mercurio discussed Trump’s bond with his supporters, with De Niro expressing concerns about the potential consequences of Trump’s leadership. Former Rep. Tim Ryan also joined the event, sporting a “White Dudes for Harris” hat, and shared his thoughts on the values that Harris brings to the table. De Blasio paid homage to Italian-American heritage by eating pizza with a fork, referencing a previous controversy, and arguing that it is the correct way to consume the dish.
Former CIA Director Leon Panetta voiced his support for Harris, criticizing Trump’s isolationist tendencies and highlighting the importance of standing up to tyrants rather than appeasing them. Actor Steve Buscemi commended Harris as a descendant of immigrants, emphasizing the importance of allowing immigrants to pursue better opportunities without punishment. Pelosi also appeared at the event, reflecting on her family’s history in Little Italy and underscoring the significance of the upcoming election in light of Trump’s stance on immigrants.
Pelosi quoted former President Reagan’s speech about the Statue of Liberty as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the need to not take the election for granted. The event concluded with former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci making a surprise appearance and pledging support for Harris, citing the systemic dangers of a potential Trump reelection. The Trump campaign did not provide a response to the event. Overall, the dinner served as a platform for prominent Italian Americans to come together in support of Harris and to voice their concerns about the current political climate.
