George Clooney, a prominent actor and lifelong Democrat, has joined the chorus of voices urging President Joe Biden to step down from the presidential race. This comes just weeks after Clooney headlined a fundraiser that generated a record single-night sum for the president’s reelection campaign.
In a statement, Clooney expressed his affection for Biden but asserted that the Democratic party would suffer losses in both the presidential election and congressional races with him as the nominee.
“This sentiment isn’t solely my opinion; it mirrors the views of every senator, congressman, and governor I’ve privately engaged with,” Clooney wrote. Clooney has hosted several high-profile Hollywood fundraisers, including one for Biden last month.
Clooney advocates for the party to choose a new nominee at their upcoming convention in July, arguing that while the process might be “messy,” it would ultimately “wake up” voters in favor of the Democratic party. He specifically mentioned Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, and Governor Gavin Newsom of California as potential candidates who deserve a hearing from the country.
Clooney’s critique largely centers on Biden’s age, highlighting differences he observed in the 81-year-old president at their recent Los Angeles event compared to previous encounters.
“It’s heartbreaking to say, but the Joe Biden I shared the stage with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010,” Clooney wrote. “He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”
Last month, Clooney, along with other A-list celebrities, participated in a fundraiser that raised a record-breaking $30 million-plus for Biden, hoping to energize potential supporters for what they described as one of the most consequential U.S. presidential elections in history.
Stars from the entertainment industry have increasingly rallied behind Biden’s campaign. Prior to the fundraiser, Clooney’s name was prominently featured on various fundraising communications from the campaign, which he characterized as “the fight of our lives.”
Clooney’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment on the timing of his decision, when he made it, or when he last spoke with Biden.
Despite facing challenges, Biden has refused to end his presidential bid following his victory over presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump on June 27.