Robert De Niro said the White House Correspondents' Association needs to "strap on some balls" after it disassociated itself from comedian Michelle Wolf over her controversial comedy routine at the organization's annual dinner.

“There was a lot of truth in Michelle Wolf’s jokes. And the bullies and liars are still intimidated by strength and the truth," De Niro said at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 45th Chaplin Award Gala Monday.

"Where we run into trouble is when we allow the bullies and liars to dictate the conversation. The [Association] distanced themselves from Michelle Wolf’s performance. Shame on them — stand up, strap on your balls and deal,” the Academy Award-winning actor added.

White House Correspondents Association president Margaret Talev on Sunday said she regretted the way in which Wolf's monologue overshadowed a night that was supposed to commemorate First Amendment rights.

Wolf was widely criticized for the tenor and character of her speech in which she ripped into Trump and administration officials, including White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and counselor Kellyanne Conway.