At the Venice Film Festival, George Clooney has broken his silence on his controversial op-ed urging President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Clooney, who attended the festival with his wife Amal Clooney for the premiere of his action comedy Wolfs, took the opportunity to commend Biden’s decision to step aside as a “selfless” act.
In a press conference held during the festival, Clooney lauded Biden for his decision to withdraw from the race, describing it as “the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington.” He emphasized that Biden’s choice to step down should be remembered for its bravery and for setting a precedent in leadership.
“What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who — you know, it’s very hard to let go of power,” Clooney stated. His remarks come in the wake of his July op-ed in the New York Times, titled “I Love Joe Biden, But We Need a New Nominee,” in which he had voiced concerns about Biden’s ability to lead the Democratic Party to victory due to his age and health.
Clooney’s op-ed sparked significant discussion, with the actor questioning whether Biden was still fit for the rigors of the presidency. In his column, he noted, “The Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big f—ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020.”
Despite the critical tone of the op-ed, Clooney has now expressed his admiration for Biden’s decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. “President Biden has shown what true leadership is. He’s saving democracy once again,” Clooney said during the press conference.
Clooney did not comment directly on Kamala Harris during the event but stressed the importance of focusing on Biden’s legacy and the broader implications of his decision. “I’m just very proud of where we are in the state of the world, which many people are surprised by, and I think we’re all very excited for the future,” he concluded.
The discussion surrounding Biden’s withdrawal and Clooney’s op-ed highlights the broader debates within the Democratic Party about leadership and the future of American politics. Biden’s resignation from the 2024 race and his endorsement of Harris mark a significant shift in the upcoming election landscape.
