George Clooney has publicly supported Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president after previously urging Joe Biden to withdraw from the race. In a recent statement, Clooney praised Biden for his role in ‘saving Democracy’ but expressed enthusiasm for Harris and her ‘historic quest.’ His endorsement of Harris follows a critical article he wrote for the New York Times, where he argued it was time for Biden to step aside.
Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on July 21, a dramatic development so close to the election, was framed by him as being in the ‘best interests of the country.’ He announced his decision in a letter on social media, pledging to serve out his term until January. Biden faced mounting pressure after a poor debate performance against Donald Trump, and Clooney’s scathing critique, which came less than a month after a major fundraiser he hosted for Biden, was seen as pivotal.
Clooney’s disapproval was further highlighted in his opinion piece, where he criticized Democratic leaders for ignoring Biden’s declining health and ineffective debate performance. He expressed concern that Biden’s age was impacting his ability to serve effectively, a sentiment echoed by many Congress members. Clooney also warned that Biden’s continued candidacy could jeopardize Democratic chances in the upcoming elections.
Clooney’s relationship with Biden has been long-standing, dating back to Biden’s tenure as chairman of the Senate Foreign Services Committee. Despite their past collaboration and Clooney’s support, the actor’s recent criticism could impact the Democratic Party’s financial support. Clooney, who raised significant funds for Biden’s campaign, stressed the need to prioritize defeating Donald Trump over maintaining Biden as the nominee.
Tensions between Clooney and the White House also surfaced when Biden criticized an attempt by Amal Clooney, George’s wife, to prosecute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Clooney reportedly voiced his dissatisfaction with Biden’s comments to a close adviser. Despite this, Clooney continued to support Biden by hosting a high-profile fundraiser with Julia Roberts and Barack Obama, though it was overshadowed by concerns about Biden’s health. A video from the event, showing Biden appearing disoriented while Obama assisted him offstage, fueled further speculation. The White House dismissed the video as misleading, noting the event took place shortly after Biden’s return from the G7 summit in Italy.
