George Clooney, once one of President Joe Biden’s staunchest supporters in Hollywood, has made a surprising call for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.
This comes just weeks after Clooney headlined a major fundraiser for Biden’s reelection campaign.
“I love Joe Biden,” Clooney expressed in a New York Times opinion piece.
“As a senator, as a vice president, and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in him.”
However, Clooney noted that the Biden he saw during the June 15 fundraiser, which featured former President Barack Obama, “was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010.
He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020.”
Referencing Biden’s faltering performance at the June 27 presidential debate on CNN, Clooney observed,
“He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” highlighting a significant decline in Biden’s public presence.
The White House and Biden’s campaign had blamed the debate performance on a cold and gruelling travel schedule, but Clooney’s comments suggest deeper concerns.
Clooney is not just a famous actor and generous donor; he has spent considerable time with Biden over the years and has always been a fervent supporter.
Their relationship dates back to Biden’s early vice-presidential days when Clooney visited the White House to discuss aiding Darfur.
Despite occasional disagreements, such as Biden’s criticism of the International Criminal Court’s decision involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahua.
A decision influenced by Clooney’s wife, Amal Clooney—Clooney’s support for Biden remained steadfast until now.
In Hollywood, Clooney’s backing has been pivotal in rallying donor and celebrity support for Biden, even from those initially indifferent.
Clooney’s recent opinion piece, therefore, marks a significant defection from Biden’s camp.
Clooney’s call for Biden to step aside comes amid growing concerns among Democrats about Biden’s age and mental acuity.
George Clooney urged key Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to encourage Biden to “voluntarily step aside.”
He emphasized, “We are not going to win in November with this president,” and suggested potential replacements such as Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Additionally, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
The actor’s remarks coincide with a challenging week for Biden’s reelection campaign, as cracks in Democratic support become more apparent.
At least ten Congressional Democrats have publicly urged Biden to withdraw from the race.
A planned Chicago fundraiser during the Democratic National Convention was recently cancelled.
Reflecting growing unease among high-dollar donors about Biden’s candidacy.
Clooney’s sentiment is echoed by other Hollywood Democrats.
Including Rob Reiner, who also called for Biden to step aside, and Michael Douglas, who acknowledged Clooney’s concerns.
As Biden engages in crucial meetings with NATO allies, the pressure mounts for a strategic reevaluation of his campaign.
Clooney’s opinion set off a wave of anxiety among Democrats, many of whom were already apprehensive about Biden’s chances in the upcoming election.
