De Niro: White House says actor’s first lady joke was ‘inappropriate’

The Obama camp has been forced to distance itself from Robert De Niro, who joked at a fundraiser on Monday that it was “too soon” for the US to have a “white First Lady,” specifically any of the wives of the leading Republican candidates, according to CNN.

ABC News reports that Newt Gingrich today demanded that President Barack Obama apologize for De Niro’s remarks.

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“What De Niro said last night was inexcusable and the president should apologize for him. It was at an Obama fundraiser, it is exactly wrong,” Gingrich said, referring to a joke made by De Niro about the potential Republican first ladies.

CNN carries of a video of Gingrich’s reaction here:

Citing a pool report from the fundraiser, CNN quoted De Niro, whose wife is African American, as asking: "Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney. Now do you really think our country is ready for a white First Lady?"

The remark elicited cheers. "Too soon, right?"

Michelle Obama’s press office has agreed, according to CNN.

"We believe the joke was inappropriate," Olivia Alair, the First Lady’s campaign press secretary, was quoted as saying in a statement.

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