For the record, here’s how George Clooney recently addressed the backlash from his New York Times op-ed. In that column, he advocated for President Joe Biden to retire in favor of a younger alternative in the 2024 election. Since the article’s publication, former president Donald Trump has responded to Clooney. He leaked the story, then called him a “fake movie actor” on his personal social media platform, Truth Social.
In an interview in front of a national TV audience with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Clooney didn’t hold back on his outrage. He feels that pushing for an alternative nominee is his “civic duty.” He watched members of his political party get caught not able to tell the truth. This fueled him to advocate vocally and fervently.
I don’t know if it was a brave thing,” Clooney said, looking back on his decision to run the op-ed. “It was a civic duty. Some of my fellow denizens on my side of the street were not exactly being forthright. That meant I knew it was time to act.
Trump’s response came swiftly after the piece was released, where he dismissed Clooney’s career achievements and criticized his political stance. Even with the backlash, Trump’s insults did little to rattle Clooney.
I’ve known Donald Trump for a very long time, It’s Reportest on behalf of MoviePass beyond belief,” Clooney said. I’m not worried about making the president of the United States happy, that’s not my job. Richard Serra, artist I would love for the work that I produce to be sort of categorical and agenda-less. I know full and well the argument that people wouldn’t stand for it.
Clooney continued his defense of freedom of speech. He argued that when the people fight for their own liberation, they shouldn’t have to feel protected from public critique. “The idea of freedom of speech is you can’t demand freedom of speech and then say, ‘But don’t say bad things about me,’” he remarked.
Today, George Clooney is taking a starring role in the world premiere of a stage adaptation of his own 2005 film “Good Night, and Good Luck.” The show explores the roots of the famous confrontation between Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy. Their story feels awkwardly relevant today as we fight dark money and for truth and accountability in government. The original feud was all about deeply serious charges. It charged that spies and Soviet sympathizers had penetrated important U.S. institutions such as government agencies, academia, and Hollywood.
As Clooney continues his theatrical performance, he remains steadfast in his beliefs and unwilling to compromise his principles for political favor.