Actor and prominent Democratic donor George Clooney recently defended his controversial op-ed from July 2024 that called on then-President Joe Biden to exit the presidential race, describing it as his “civic duty” in a new interview.
Clooney, who appeared on CNN on “The Lead” with Jake Tapper on April 16, explained that he felt compelled to speak out when he saw fellow Democrats not being forthright about Biden’s condition. The actor stated that he witnessed “people on my side of the street not telling the truth” about the president’s capabilities following his poor debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024.
In his original New York Times op-ed published on July 10, 2024, Clooney wrote that while he loved Biden, the Democratic Party needed a new nominee. The Hollywood star had co-hosted a major fundraiser for Biden just weeks before publishing the piece, but said he felt the president he observed was not the same “big [expletive] deal Biden of 2010.”
“It was a civic duty,” Clooney told Tapper about his decision to write the op-ed, adding that there were “a lot of profiles in cowardice” within the Democratic Party at that time.
Following Clooney’s op-ed and growing pressure from other Democratic figures, Biden announced on July 21, 2024, that he was dropping out of the race and endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Clooney acknowledged that he has faced criticism for taking this stance but maintained that he believes in freedom of speech. He told CNN that one cannot demand freedom of speech and then say, “Don’t say bad things about me.” The actor expressed that he was “OK with criticism” for where he stands politically.
Beyond discussing his role in Biden’s decision to exit the race, Clooney also revealed his thoughts on who might lead the Democratic Party in future elections. In the same CNN interview, he praised Maryland Governor Wes Moore as someone who is “levitating” above other potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential election.
Clooney highlighted Moore’s impressive background, noting the governor had served in the army, raised substantial funds while running a charity, and effectively addressed issues in Baltimore, Maryland. The actor’s endorsement could carry significant weight given his status as a major Democratic donor and his previous influence in party politics.
Moore, 46, has been serving as Maryland’s governor since January 2023. Before entering politics, he was the CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, an anti-poverty nonprofit organization. His military service includes combat deployment in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
The actor’s comments came as the Fox News morning show “Fox & Friends” hosts Ainsley Earhardt, Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade, and Lawrence Jones discussed Clooney’s statements and their implications for the Democratic Party moving forward. The program examined both Clooney’s rationale for believing Biden should not have been the nominee in 2024 and his endorsement of Moore as a future party leader.
Clooney’s assessment of Biden came after years of supporting the former president. After Biden withdrew from the race, Clooney described the decision as “selfless” and emphasized that the Democratic Party needed to identify new leadership “rather soon.”
Clooney has maintained his active role in Democratic politics despite the 2024 defeat. His public endorsement of Moore indicates he continues to exercise his influence in shaping the party’s future direction as Democrats look toward the 2028 presidential election cycle.
The actor’s candid assessment of Biden and his subsequent promotion of Moore suggest Clooney remains committed to identifying Democratic candidates he believes can effectively compete in national elections. Political analysts note that early endorsements from high-profile figures like Clooney can help potential candidates build momentum and establish fundraising networks well ahead of primary season.
