George Clooney Critiques Kamala Harris's Candidacy in 2024 Election

George Clooney, the acclaimed actor and filmmaker, has reiterated his stance on the 2024 presidential election, particularly regarding his New York Times op-ed that urged former President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race. In a recent interview on CBS News' "Sunday Morning," Clooney expressed no regrets about writing the op-ed but labeled the decision to have Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee a "mistake." He emphasized that Harris faced a challenging task by having to run against her own record, stating, “It’s very hard to do if the point of running is to say, ‘I’m not that person.’”

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Clooney's op-ed, published in July 2024, followed Biden's underwhelming performance in a debate against Donald Trump. In it, he argued that Biden's candidacy would jeopardize the Democratic Party's chances in the upcoming elections, predicting losses in the House and Senate. He claimed that many political figures shared his concerns privately, stating, “This isn’t only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and congress member and governor that I’ve spoken with in private.”

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Clooney's comments have not gone without backlash. Hunter Biden, the former president's son, publicly criticized Clooney during a Channel 5 interview, using expletives to express his disdain for Clooney's op-ed and questioning his authority to undermine his father. Hunter stated, “What do you have to do with fucking anything? Why do I have to fucking listen to you?” In response, Clooney dismissed Hunter's remarks as "outright lies" and chose not to engage in a public feud, instead wishing him well in his recovery.

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Clooney has maintained that his op-ed was a civic duty, asserting, “Take a stand, stand for it and then deal with the consequences.” He acknowledged the criticism he has faced for his political views, comparing it to past backlash he received for his anti-war stance. Clooney defended his right to voice his opinions while respecting others' rights to criticize him.

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Clooney's critique of Harris's candidacy and his call for a primary process reflect broader concerns within the Democratic Party regarding leadership and electability. His comments suggest a desire for a more competitive political landscape, which he believes could strengthen the party's chances in future elections.

Hollywood Reporter

• “I think the mistake with it being Kamala is she had to run against her own record. It’s very hard to do if the point of running is to say, ‘I’m not that person.’” — George Clooney

The Wrap

• “In it, he wrote of Biden, “We are not going to win in November with this president.” — George Clooney

Variety Magazine

• “I could spend a lot of time debunking many of the things [Hunter] said because many of the things he said were just outright lies: Obama didn’t put me up to it, it wasn’t my fundraiser—it was my fundraiser, all the things.” — George Clooney

Daily Beast

• “It was a civic duty … That’s the deal, you have to take your stand if you believe in it. Take a stand, stand for it and then deal with the consequences. That’s the rules, so when people criticize me — they criticized me for my stance against the war 20 years ago, people picketed my movies and they put me on a deck of cards — I have to take that, that’s fair. I’m OK with that, I’m OK with criticism for where I stand. I defend their right to criticize me as much as I defend my right to criticize them.” — George Clooney

Deadline Hollywood

Clooney's reflections on the 2024 election highlight the complexities of political endorsements and the challenges faced by candidates within the Democratic Party.

Hollywood Reporter