George Clooney, Hollywood’s activist actor and political influencer, is reportedly fuming after being caught in the fallout of a failed effort to position Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate in the 2024 election. Sources allege that Clooney, 63, feels manipulated by former President Barack Obama, who allegedly encouraged him to lobby for Harris and then abandoned him when the plan fell apart.
Clooney’s Political Push
In an op-ed published in July, Clooney made waves by urging President Joe Biden to step aside, citing concerns over his declining health and ability to secure a victory against the Republican frontrunner. Biden, 82, eventually withdrew from the race, paving the way for Harris’s candidacy. However, Harris’s bid failed, leaving Clooney facing harsh criticism from both political allies and opponents.
Social media erupted with reactions, many pointing fingers at the Ocean’s Eleven star. A Democratic supporter posted, “This debacle is on Clooney. Why meddle in politics you don’t fully understand?” Meanwhile, a Trump supporter gleefully tweeted, “Trump should send George Clooney a thank-you note for helping us out!”
Obama’s Alleged Role
According to insiders cited by The National Enquirer, it was Obama who initially nudged Clooney into advocating for Biden’s withdrawal. The former president allegedly feared the backlash of publicly calling for his former vice president to step down and saw Clooney as the perfect proxy to float the idea.
“Barack and George have been friends for years,” a political insider claimed. “Obama knew it would look disloyal if he made the call himself, so he leaned on Clooney to take the heat.”
Now, with Harris’s loss and criticism mounting, Clooney reportedly feels abandoned by Obama and the Democratic Party.
Hollywood’s Criticism
Clooney’s involvement has also drawn backlash from his Hollywood peers, who feel the star’s political gambit created chaos in the Democratic Party. “George thought he was doing the right thing, but it threw the entire process into disarray,” an insider explained.
Some celebrities have privately voiced support for Clooney’s intentions but are hesitant to publicly defend him. “He doesn’t expect anyone to stand up for him now,” the source said, adding that Clooney feels like he took a bullet for the party only to be scapegoated for the outcome.
Netizens React
Social media users remain divided over Clooney’s role in the political drama. Twitter user @PoliticalInsider posted, “Clooney is out of his depth. Stick to movies, George!” Meanwhile, @TeamClooney argued, “At least he had the guts to speak out. Where were the rest of the Democrats?”
Looking Ahead
With Trump poised to take office for a second time, Clooney is reportedly bracing for potential political retribution from his onetime nemesis. Despite his frustrations, sources say the actor has vowed to step away from politics, stating he “won’t be anyone’s water boy” moving forward.
As the dust settles, Clooney’s foray into political advocacy serves as a cautionary tale of the risks celebrities face when stepping into the political arena.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.