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De Niro apologizes for first lady joke

Jury President Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower arrive on the red carpet before the screening of the film "Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" during the 64th annual Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 14, 2011. UPI/David Silpa
Jury President Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower arrive on the red carpet before the screening of the film "Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" during the 64th annual Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 14, 2011. UPI/David Silpa | License Photo

NEW YORK, March 20 (UPI) -- Actor Robert De Niro has apologized for a joke with racial overtones he made at a New York fundraiser for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

"Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney," The Hollywood Reporter quoted De Niro as saying during his opening remarks at Monday night's $5,000-a-plate event, which Obama's wife, Michelle attended. "Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?"

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CNN reported Obama's campaign press secretary Olivia Alair called the joke "inappropriate" Tuesday.

De Niro later issued a statement explaining he was trying to make a joke and never meant to offend anyone.

"My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone -- especially the first lady," the 68-year-old "Raging Bull" and "Meet the Parents" star said.

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