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George Clooney published a strongly-worded op-ed in July asking Joe Biden to quit the presidential race, which changed the tide of the polls.
George Clooney was a close confidante of Barack Obama and reportedly wrote the op-ed against Biden on his advice. (Reuters)
Things are not going well in the Democratic camp – particularly between Hollywood star George Clooney and former US President Barack Obama after Vice President Kamala Harris’ big defeat to President-elect Donald Trump in the November 5 election.
For those unaware, Clooney, a Democrat, was one of the top fundraisers for outgoing President Joe Biden but ultimately played a huge role in his exit from the presidential race. In July, Clooney wrote a strongly-worded op-ed where he questioned Biden’s fitness for office and said he was not the same man as in 2020.
“It’s devastating to say it, but 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. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” Clooney wrote in his opinion piece, offering the names of several contenders including Harris. “Was he tired? Yes. A cold? Maybe. But our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw.”
Reports claim Clooney was a close confidante and was told to publicly ask Biden to step out of the race on the instructions of the ex-president. However, after Trump got a thumping victory over Harris in the November 5 elections, Clooney is reportedly upset with Obama for “manipulating” him.
Why Does George Clooney Feel ‘Duped’?
The main reason why the Ocean’s Eleven actor feels upset with Obama is that his opinion piece is largely regarded as the final nail in the coffin for Biden’s re-election ambitions, as he dropped out of the race under pressure from Democrats and nominated Kamala Harris in his place.
“George is furious with Obama for disappearing after the election disaster and leaving him holding the bag for pushing the plan with his Hollywood pals,” an insider told Ok! Magazine. The source said Obama knew he would look like a traitor if he had called for Biden to step aside himself, so he convinced Clooney instead and is now walking away from the debacle.
Trump’s victory led critics to slam Clooney for his role in Biden’s decision to step down from his campaign. “I wish he never opened his mouth. Joe should not have been talked down. Yeah I’m mad at everyone who convinced Joe to go. He would have beat him again,” said a user on X.
The source told OK! Magazine that Clooney felt “duped” after Harris’ defeat and has vowed to never become anyone’s “political water boy” anymore, saying “George feels he stepped up and took a bullet for the team”.
Before Biden’s exit, Clooney hosted a successful star-studded fundraiser for Biden in June. However, things changed after Biden’s poor debate performance against Trump, which heightened scrutiny on his age and mental fitness. “I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals… But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time,” Clooney said.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
