Let's dive into some recent political drama involving none other than George Clooney and President Joe Biden. On Tuesday, Clooney made waves by stating that Joe Biden is “saving democracy” by stepping aside from the presidential election. In the same breath, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination to challenge Donald Trump this November.
Clooney's statement to CNN was brimming with praise for Biden: “President Biden has shown what true leadership is. He’s saving democracy once again. We’re all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest.” This comes shortly after Clooney publicly urged Biden to step down in a powerful op-ed for the New York Times, just weeks after hosting a grand fundraiser for Biden's reelection.
Back then, Clooney didn't mince words: “We are not going to win in November with this president,” he wrote. “On top of that, we won’t win the House, and we’re going to lose the Senate.” His concerns about Biden's age and recent performance in debates and interviews were stark. Clooney remarked, “The Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal‘ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”
In a statement to CNN, actor/Democratic fundraiser George Clooney endorses VP Kamala Harris:
“President Biden has shown what true leadership is. He’s saving democracy once again. We’re all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest.”
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) July 23, 2024
The drama didn't stop there. Biden, acknowledging the growing concern over his age, made the surprising decision to step out of the race on Sunday. He quickly threw his support behind Vice President Harris. Following this, a wave of endorsements for Harris poured in from Democratic politicians and Hollywood Democrats, who had been split over whether Biden should continue his campaign.
On Monday, Harris announced that Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign chair, would lead her campaign. Harris emphasized that their campaign message would stay the same: “One team, one fight.”
Now, Clooney's comments about Biden not being the same dynamic figure he once was have echoed through political circles. His op-ed in the New York Times was a tough pill to swallow, especially after co-hosting a massive fundraiser for Biden in Los Angeles. Clooney highlighted Biden's struggle during a debate with Trump, suggesting that Biden was no longer the vibrant leader he once was.
Following the debate, Clooney's frustration was palpable: “It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe 'big F-ing deal' Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020.” Clooney's sentiments were shared by many Hollywood donors and prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Hollywood, often referred to as an "ATM for Democrats," has been a significant source of donations for the party. Clooney's fundraiser with Julia Roberts raised over $30 million, the largest Democratic fundraiser in history. However, after Biden's debate performance, several Hollywood donors urged the president to end his campaign. Notable figures like Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, Disney heir Abigail Disney, and filmmaker Rob Reiner echoed Clooney's call.
Clooney, a lifelong Democrat, stressed that Biden's continued candidacy could cost the party not just the presidency, but also control of the House and Senate. He called for leading Democrats to privately urge Biden to step aside and proposed a new nominee be decided at the party's August convention.
Clooney's admiration for Biden remains, despite his harsh critique. He said, “I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals. In the last four years, he’s won many of the battles he’s faced. But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time.”