Meet the Fockers

“Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney,” De Niro said. “Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?”

Even though the crowd seemed to love it, by now the backlash (starting with Newt Gingrich on Tuesday, who called the joke "inexcusable") has gone all the way to the top...of the White House.

Obama’s campaign spokeswoman Olivia Alair called the joke “inappropriate,” though really, it's no more racy than anything Seth Meyers (or President Barack Obama) joked about during this year's White House Correspondent's dinner.

Still, DeNiro has backed off his semi-provocative stance, telling Talking Points Memo:

"My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone--especially the First Lady."

We're sure if First Lady Michelle Obama had actually been at the event and laughed, there would be no cause for this hoopla, especially since Mr. DeNiro was responding to Mr. Gingrich's remarks, not the Ms. Obama. Who didn't seem that offended, considering she made some quips of her own after entering the Tribeca bash right after her taping of the Late Show with David Letterman. Maybe she showed up too late to catch the faux-pas?