In a high-profile trial that has captivated the media, actor Robert De Niro is facing allegations of gender discrimination from his former assistant, Graham Chase Robinson. The trial has taken an unexpected turn as De Niro's girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, has emerged as a key figure in the allegations made against the actor. Chen, who welcomed a son with De Niro in 2023, allegedly issued an ultimatum to get rid of Robinson, stating, "If you keep her, you and I will eventually have problems."

Robinson, who worked for De Niro from 2008 until 2019, has accused the actor of using "vulgar, inappropriate, and gendered comments" towards her, as well as subjecting her to overwork and underpayment. In her $12 million lawsuit, Robinson claims that she was treated unfairly and her role as an executive assistant was undermined when she was tasked with domestic duties such as decorating De Niro's home.

During the trial, Robinson's lawyers presented text messages in which Chen expressed her concerns about Robinson's presence. Chen allegedly accused Robinson of having an "imaginary intimacy" with De Niro and of trying to take on the role of "the lady of the house." Chen also claimed that Robinson had forgotten to cater food for a chartered flight, leading to further tension between the two.

De Niro, however, denied the allegations, stating that Chen only wanted Robinson off projects related to decorating their home and that no one tells him what to do in his office. He maintained that Robinson's duties as his head assistant remained unchanged despite her promotion to vice president of production and finance.

The relationship between De Niro and Chen dates back to 2015 when they first met on the set of "The Intern." Although they were not publicly linked until 2021, they moved into a New York City townhome together in 2018, with Chen taking on a managerial role for Robinson on townhome projects. However, tensions between the two grew, with Chen accusing Robinson of wanting to marry De Niro and move into the house with him, based on what she referred to as "imaginary intimacy."

In addition to the lawsuit filed by Robinson, De Niro had previously filed a $6 million suit against her for improper use of a company credit card, watching TV on company time, and stealing frequent-flier miles for personal trips. Robinson later accused De Niro of retaliation with his lawsuit, claiming that he filed it to “humiliate” her. Text messages between De Niro's employees allegedly revealed their intentions to ruin Robinson's reputation before she could sue the actor.

As the trial continues, De Niro has testified that the allegations against him are “nonsense” and that he treated Robinson well during her time as his assistant. He emphasized that he relied on her for tasks such as greeting cards for his children and overseeing preparations for the townhouse he purchased with Chen. Chen is expected to testify during the trial, which is projected to last for nearly two weeks.

The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for both De Niro and Robinson. It shines a spotlight on the issue of workplace discrimination and raises questions about the power dynamics within the entertainment industry. As the proceedings unfold, the media and the public eagerly await the verdict in this highly contentious case.