Current:Home > MarketsGeorge Clooney calls Joe Biden 'selfless' for dropping out of 2024 presidential race-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
George Clooney calls Joe Biden 'selfless' for dropping out of 2024 presidential race
View Date:2024-12-23 21:04:02
George Clooney called President Joe Biden "selfless" for stepping down as the Democratic nominee in this year's presidential race.
During a press screening Sunday at the Venice Film Festival of his much-anticipated movie "Wolfs," he addressed his controversial July op-ed published by The New York Times that called on President Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. "I've never had to answer that question, so I suppose I'll do it here," the actor said as the room applauded.
"The person who should be applauded is the president, who did the most selfless thing that anybody's done since George Washington," Clooney said, according to a video shared by Deadline. "All the machinations that got us there, none of that's gonna be remembered and it shouldn't be … What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who… You know, it's very hard to let go of power. We know that. We've seen it all around the world. And for someone to say, 'I think there's a better way forward,' all the credit goes to him, and that's really the truth."
In July, Clooney sparked controversy over the op-ed move, in which he argued the Democratic party needed a new nominee.
"We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we won’t win the House, and we’re going to lose the Senate," wrote Clooney in the New York Times piece. "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. Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Clooney, a self-described lifelong Democrat, was among a group of A-list celebrities that co-hosted a glitzy Hollywood fundraiser last month for Biden's campaign that brought in $30 million.
More:George Clooney backs VP Harris, after calling for Biden to withdraw
But in his op-ed, Clooney said Biden was not the same person at the fundraiser in Los Angeles that he’s known for years, writing that the one battle Biden can’t win is the "fight against time."
"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. Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly," Clooney wrote.
On July 21, President Biden ended his reelection bid amid intense pressure from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm that his path to beat former President Donald Trump in November had vanished.
On July 23, Clooney commended President Joe Biden's decision to exit the 2024 race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris' bid.
"President Biden has shown what true leadership is," Clooney said in a statement to CNN. "He’s saving democracy once again. We’re all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest."
George Clooney denies report claiming he earned $35M for 'Wolfs'
On Sunday, while promoting his upcoming new film "Wolds" with co-star Brad Pitt in Venice, Clooney addressed a recent report from The New York Times claiming the actors were each paid "more than $35 million each."
Clooney said it was "an interesting article and whatever her source was for our salary, it is millions and millions and millions of dollars less than what was reported. And I am only saying that because I think it’s bad for our industry if that’s what people think is the standard bearer for salaries."
"I think that’s terrible, it’ll make it impossible to make films," he added.
Contributing: Joey Garrison, Sudiksha Kochi, Pamela Avila, USA TODAY
veryGood! (15116)
Related
- Mississippi governor intent on income tax cut even if states receive less federal money
- Elon Musk says he'll reverse Donald Trump Twitter ban
- BeReal is Gen Z's new favorite social media app. Here's how it works
- She joined DHS to fight disinformation. She says she was halted by... disinformation
- Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Explains His Stance on His Daughter Gwendlyn Brown’s Sexuality
- U.S. seeks extradition of alleged Russian spy Sergey Cherkasov from Brazil
- The Indicator: Destroying Personal Digital Data
- Cryptocurrency Is An Energy Drain
- Veterans Day restaurant deals 2024: More than 80 discounts, including free meals
- U.S. takes new steps to reduce migrant arrivals when Title 42 border rule ends in May
Ranking
- Judge hears case over Montana rule blocking trans residents from changing sex on birth certificate
- Shop These 15 Women-Founded Accessories Brands Because It’s Women’s History Month & You Deserve a Treat
- U.S. targets Iran and Russia with new sanctions over hostages, wrongfully detained Americans
- Kenya starvation cult death toll hits 90 as morgues fill up: Nothing prepares you for shallow mass graves of children
- Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
- Proof Zendaya Is Already Close With Tom Holland's Family
- Can the SEC stand up to the richest man on the planet?
- New York attorney general launches probe of Twitch and Discord after Buffalo shooting
Recommendation
-
Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney dies in car accident
-
Jock Zonfrillo, MasterChef Australia host, found dead at age 46
-
U.S. to send nuclear submarines to dock in South Korea for first time since 1980s
-
Halle Berry Shares Rare Photos of 15-Year-Old Daughter Nahla in Birthday Tribute
-
Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington
-
U.S. targets Iran and Russia with new sanctions over hostages, wrongfully detained Americans
-
How a love of sci-fi drives Elon Musk and an idea of 'extreme capitalism'
-
Solar panels that can generate electricity at night have been developed at Stanford