George Clooney, celebrated Oscar-winning actor and Democratic supporter, has responded to a sharp critique from former President Donald Trump. The conflict arose following Clooney’s controversial op-ed in The New York Times, where he urged President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, citing concerns about Biden’s fitness for office. In response, Trump, known for his outspoken nature, referred to Clooney as a “fake movie actor” and criticized his involvement in politics.

Trump’s remarks were posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he stated, “So now fake movie actor George Clooney, who never came close to making a great movie, is getting into the act. He’s turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are. What does Clooney know about anything? Clooney should get out of politics and go back to television. Movies never really worked for him!!!” 

Clooney, recognized for his achievements in film and political activism, responded quickly. During a September 17, 2024 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the actor directly addressed Trump’s remarks. With his usual humor, Clooney jokingly remarked that he would step away from politics if Trump did the same, eliciting laughter and applause from the audience.

While some within the Democratic Party have praised Clooney for voicing concerns others may have hesitated to make public, his critique wasn’t without backlash. Trump’s Truth Social post marked the most direct response, but many others in political circles have supported or criticized Clooney’s call for new leadership. 

During his appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Clooney admitted that writing the op-ed carried risks, as his public statements could have negatively influenced the political landscape. Despite this, the op-ed significantly contributed to Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee. 

Although the extent of Clooney’s influence on Biden’s withdrawal has been widely debated, Kimmel suggested that the letter played a major role. Clooney, however, downplayed his impact, praising Biden for making the difficult and extraordinary decision to step aside.

Despite the ongoing feud between Trump and Clooney, the actor remains active in political discussions. As one of Hollywood’s top Democratic fundraisers, Clooney has long supported various candidates, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden.