Robert De Niro doesn't understand 'what the big deal is' about his child coming out as trans

Robert De Niro doesn't understand "what the big deal is" about his child coming out as trans.

Airyn De Niro - whose mother is actress Toukie Smith - recently opened up about "stepping into this new identity" as a trans woman and now her Hollywood star father, 81, has insisted that he "loves all" of his children no matter what.

He told PEOPLE: "I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don't know what the big deal is, I love all my children."

The 'Godfather Part II' star is also father to Drena, 57, and Raphael, 48, with his first wife Diahnne Abbott, Julian, 29, with ex-girlfriend Toukie , as well as Elliot, 26, and Helen, 13, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.

In April 2023, he and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen welcomed daughter Gia into the world.

Airyn, 29, revealed her coming out as she described her desire to be "seen" as who she really is.

She told Them: “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”

In the wake of recent news articles about her, the 29-year-old aspiring actress added: "Not only did they get information wrong about me…They just sort of reminded me that people really don't know anything about me."