Veteran actor Robert De Niro, who appeared at the 72nd annual Tony Awards to introduce Bruce Springsteen's performance of a contemplative, piano-accompanied version of My Hometown, burst out with two bluntly profane blasts aimed at President Donald Trump.

"I'm just going to say one thing... F**k Trump!" De Niro said at the gala on Sunday night, say reports.

When the astonished audience broke out into a mix of laughter and gasps, he paused for a few seconds and then followed with: "It's no longer ‘down with Trump. It's f**k Trump!'" He then pumped both fists. 

A spokesperson of the network CBS issued a brief statement, "Mr. De Niro's comments were unscripted and unexpected. The offensive language was deleted from the broadcast."

The network leaned on the bleep button, so none of its viewers heard the unexpurgated version of his remarks. But the live feed of the broadcasts being played in the press room was uncensored, leading to several Tony winners being asked about the head-snapping moment during their backstage press conferences.