George Clooney, the notable actor, is said to be irate with ex-U.S. President Barack Obama, feeling exploited in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election. This tension symbolizes a significant shift in a friendship dating back almost 20 years.
Insiders close to the matter claim Clooney is profoundly annoyed with Obama for purportedly pushing him to pen a high-profile op-ed challenging President Joe Biden’s suitability for office. Published in The New York Times in July 2024, Clooney’s piece commended Biden’s long public service but advocated for a younger, more energetic Democratic candidate for the upcoming election. The op-ed, intended to stimulate productive discussion, ignited a backlash from Democratic leaders and progressive activists who saw it as weakening party unity during a pivotal election period.
An insider source revealed to a media outlet, “George is furious with Obama for disappearing after the election calamity and leaving him to face the consequences of promoting the plan among his Hollywood friends.”
The bond between Clooney and Obama started in 2006 during an event addressing the Darfur crisis and developed over time. Clooney was a staunch supporter of Obama’s presidential runs, hosting fundraisers and even vacationing together. However, recent political maneuverings have reportedly left Clooney feeling “tricked” by Obama, who he thinks withdrew during the op-ed backlash.
The controversy has stimulated wider discussions about the Democratic Party’s internal politics, in particular, the issues surrounding a transition from a president like Biden, whose age and health have been topics of debate. Clooney’s op-ed shed light on crucial questions regarding the future of Democratic leadership, yet critics suggest it exacerbated existing divisions within the party.
Adding further complexity, after the op-ed was published, ex-President Donald Trump swiftly began ridiculing Clooney on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing him as a “fake movie actor” and accusing him of attempting to “stay relevant.” Clooney, renowned for his sharp humor, retorted during a stint on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” vowing to exit politics entirely if Trump agreed to do the same.
This situation has reportedly led Clooney to reevaluate his participation in political activism. Although he has been a vocal proponent of Democratic causes for years, insiders suggest this incident has tempered his enthusiasm for directly engaging in politically sensitive campaigns.
Some Democratic strategists view this fallout as indicative of the broader struggles the party faces in maintaining unity and effectively handling high-profile supporters. Obama has yet to comment, leaving questions about his supposed involvement in the op-ed controversy unanswered. Meanwhile, party insiders grapple with managing a critical leadership transition following the 2024 election.
Clooney, who has consistently used his platform to champion social justice and humanitarian causes, is now confronted with the decision of how—or if—to stay involved in the political conversation. As the Democratic Party focuses on rebuilding and unity for the future, the impact of this fallout may be felt long after the 2024 election.
