Actor George Clooney recently addressed his July 2024 op-ed that urged then-President Joe Biden to step aside from the presidential race, calling the article his “civic duty” in a new interview.
During an appearance on CNN‘s “The Lead” with Jake Tapper on April 16, Clooney explained his motivation to speak out after noticing that Democrats were not being honest about Biden’s condition. The actor claimed he saw “people on my side of the street not telling the truth” regarding the former president’s abilities after a lackluster debate against Donald Trump in June 2024.
In the New York Times op-ed published on July 10, 2024, Clooney expressed admiration for Biden but argued the Democratic Party needed a fresh nominee. He had co-hosted a significant fundraiser for Biden shortly before writing the piece, but noted that the president he observed was not the same “big [expletive] deal Biden of 2010.”
Describing his decision to write the op-ed as “a civic duty,” Clooney mentioned to Tapper that there were “a lot of profiles in cowardice” within the Democratic Party at that period.
In the wake of Clooney’s op-ed and mounting pressure from other Democratic leaders, Biden announced on July 21, 2024, that he would withdraw from the race, endorsing then-Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate.
Clooney admitted to facing criticism for his stance, yet he remained steadfast in his belief in freedom of speech. He remarked to CNN that it is not feasible to champion free speech and then object to critical remarks, adding he was “OK with criticism” of his political views.
Beyond discussing Biden’s exit, Clooney also shared his views on future Democratic leadership. In the same CNN interview, he praised Maryland Governor Wes Moore, describing him as “levitating” above other potential candidates for the 2028 election.
Clooney cited Moore’s notable experiences, including his military service, successful fundraising for a charity, and effective governance in Baltimore, Maryland. Clooney’s endorsement carries weight given his status as a significant Democratic donor and his influence in party politics.
Moore, 46, has been Maryland’s governor since January 2023. Prior to his career in politics, he served as CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, an anti-poverty nonprofit, and has military experience from his deployment in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
Clooney’s remarks were also discussed on the Fox News show “Fox & Friends,” where hosts Ainsley Earhardt, Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade, and Lawrence Jones analyzed Clooney’s statements and their potential impact on the Democratic Party. They discussed both Clooney’s rationale for opposing Biden’s 2024 candidacy and his endorsement of Moore as a future leader.
Clooney’s evaluation of Biden followed years of support for the former president. After Biden’s withdrawal, Clooney characterized the decision as “selfless” and stressed the need for the Democratic Party to identify new leadership “rather soon.”
Clooney remains active in Democratic politics despite the 2024 outcome. His endorsement of Moore indicates his continued influence in shaping the party’s future as Democrats look ahead to the 2028 election cycle.
Clooney’s assessment of Biden and endorsement of Moore suggest he is committed to identifying Democratic candidates capable of competing in national elections. Analysts highlight the significance of early endorsements from high-profile figures like Clooney in helping potential candidates build momentum and fundraising networks before the primary season.
