In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood heavyweight and lifelong Democrat George Clooney has publicly criticized President Joe Biden, urging him to withdraw from the 2024 race.
This comes in the wake of Biden's widely criticized debate performance and growing concerns about his ability to serve another term. Clooney, who has been a staunch supporter of Biden, expressed his concerns in a hard-hitting op-ed for the New York Times.
According to the Daily Mail, Clooney's critique of Biden is particularly significant given his history of hosting fundraisers for the 81-year-old president. The actor's op-ed was published just three weeks after he hosted a record-breaking $28 million fundraiser for Biden on June 16. However, Clooney's support seems to have waned following Biden's recent debate performance, which has been described as "meandering and mumbling."
In his op-ed, Clooney expressed his respect for Biden, but also his concern about the president's declining physical and mental health. "We collectively hold our breath or turn down the volume whenever we see the president, who we respect, walk off Air Force One or walk back to a mic to answer an unscripted question," Clooney wrote. He also criticized Democratic party leaders for ignoring the "warning signs" of Biden's decline and for defending his debate performance against Donald Trump.
Clooney's critique of Biden is not an isolated incident. In the past two weeks, numerous Democrats and Biden allies have called for the president to step down. Despite these calls, Biden has insisted that he will not withdraw from the race and that he will defeat Trump in the upcoming election. However, Clooney's comments are a significant blow to his campaign.
In his op-ed, Clooney acknowledged Biden's past achievements, stating, "Joe Biden is a hero; he saved democracy in 2020. We need him to do it again in 2024." However, he also noted that Biden's recent performance does not match the man he once was. "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," Clooney wrote.
Clooney's relationship with Biden dates back to Biden's tenure as chairman of the Senate Foreign Services Committee. The two connected over issues in Darfur, and Biden has previously honored Clooney for his support, hosting him at the White House for the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2022. Clooney has become a major force in the Democratic Party, raising millions for its candidates and becoming an influential voice in American politics.
However, Clooney's withdrawal of support for Biden could have financial implications for the Democratic Party. Hollywood donors, known for their deep pockets, were reportedly furious with campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg following Biden's debate performance. These donors, like many Biden supporters, felt misled and betrayed about the president's health.
Despite his criticism of Biden, Clooney emphasized the importance of defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming election. "Our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn't see what we just saw. We're all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that we've opted to ignore every warning sign," he wrote.
Clooney's relationship with Biden has not been without its challenges. The actor was reportedly furious with the White House in early June after Biden criticized an attempt by Amal Clooney, George's wife and a lawyer, to jail the Prime Minister of Israel. Despite this, Clooney continued to support Biden, hosting a fundraiser with actress Julia Roberts and former President Barack Obama that raised $30 million for Biden's campaign.
However, concerns about Biden's health overshadowed the fundraiser. A video appeared to show Obama guiding Biden off stage, which the White House dismissed as fake. This incident, along with Clooney's op-ed, has led to increased scrutiny of Biden's health and ability to serve another term.
Prominent Democrats, including Michael Douglas, a longtime Biden supporter, have expressed agreement with Clooney's concerns. "I am concerned. I think it's a valid point," Douglas said of Clooney's op-ed.
Biden's ability to rally Democrats around his presidential bid has been increasingly challenged as calls for him to exit the race grow. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is among those questioning Biden's decision to remain in the contest. "It's up to the president to decide if he is going to run. We're all encouraging him to make that decision. Because time is running short," she said.
Clooney's op-ed also reflects concerns among Democratic lawmakers about Biden's ability to defeat Trump. The actor claimed that every senator, congress member, and governor he has spoken to privately shares these concerns. "We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we won't win the House, and we're going to lose the Senate," he wrote.
Clooney suggested that the Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August 19 through August 22 in Chicago, should select a new nominee. He proposed several potential candidates, including Wes Moore, Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, and J.B. Pritzker.
Despite the growing criticism, Biden has insisted that he will remain in the race. He sent a letter to all Democratic lawmakers on Monday, reaffirming his commitment to the race and his determination to defeat Trump. "I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump," Biden wrote.
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