Actor George Clooney, who just weeks ago hosted a fundraiser for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, called for the president to exit the 2024 race in a New York Times op-ed published Wednesday.
“I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend, and 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,” Clooney wrote.
“But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time. None of us can. It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser 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.”
George Clooney and President Joe Biden seen here on June 16, 2024.
Joe Biden/X
Clooney’s comments go against Biden’s claims that the debate was just one “bad night” or a “bad episode,” as he told ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos in Biden’s first post-debate television interview.
Also, the stinging language lands Clooney among the growing chorus of Democrats — from elected officials to high-profile donors — asking the president to allow another, younger nominee to lead the Democratic Party’s ticket.
“Would it be messy? Yes. Democracy is messy,” wrote Clooney. “But would it enliven our party and wake up voters who, long before the June debate, had already checked out? It sure would.”
“The short ramp to Election Day would be a benefit for us, not a danger,” Clooney continued. “It would give us the chance to showcase the future without so much opposition research and negative campaigning that comes with these ridiculously long and expensive election seasons.”
A Biden campaign official did not respond directly to the op-ed, but pointed ABC News to Biden’s recent comments insisting he is remaining in the race, including his Monday letter to Democratic lawmakers where he said he’s “firmly committed” to staying in the race to the end.
In this Dec, 4, 2022 file photo President Joe Biden, right, greets actor George Clooney during the Kennedy Center honoree reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC.
Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE
Biden praised Clooney’s character at a 2022 White House reception for the Kennedy Center Honorees — a group that included Clooney.
“One thing I respect most about George — and I mean this sincerely — is his deep empathy,” Biden said, adding that “he always remembers where he came from.”
After describing Clooney’s advocacy work, including on guns, Biden said, “He knows the work remains unfinished, yet he is unrelenting and undaunted. That’s character in real life. And that’s George Clooney.”
ABC News’ Chris Donovan contributed to this report.
Hollywood actor and activist George Clooney made headlines recently after suggesting that President Joe Biden should not run for re-election in 2024. Clooney, who co-hosted a fundraiser for Biden earlier this month, expressed his concerns about the President’s age and the need for new leadership in the Democratic Party.
Clooney, a longtime supporter of Biden and the Democratic Party, has been vocal about his admiration for the President’s leadership during his first year in office. However, the actor believes that it may be time for Biden to step aside and make way for a new generation of leaders.
In an interview with CNN, Clooney stated, “I think Joe Biden has done a great job so far, but I also think it’s important for the Democratic Party to start looking towards the future. We need fresh ideas and new perspectives to address the challenges facing our country.”
Clooney’s comments have sparked a debate among Democrats about the future of the party and who should lead it in the upcoming presidential election. Some have praised Clooney for his honesty and willingness to speak out, while others have criticized him for suggesting that Biden should not seek re-election.
Despite the controversy, Clooney’s remarks have brought attention to the issue of age in politics and the importance of having a diverse range of leaders in positions of power. As the oldest President in U.S. history, Biden will be 82 years old by the time of the next election, leading some to question whether he is fit to serve another term.
While Biden has not yet announced whether he plans to run for re-election in 2024, Clooney’s comments have added fuel to the speculation about his future plans. The actor’s suggestion that Biden should step aside has reignited discussions about who should lead the Democratic Party and what qualities are needed in a presidential candidate.
As the 2024 election draws closer, it is clear that there will be a lively debate within the Democratic Party about its future direction and leadership. Whether or not Biden decides to run for re-election, George Clooney’s comments have sparked an important conversation about the need for new voices and fresh ideas in American politics.
