George Clooney Says Going Against Joe Biden Was a ‘Civic Duty’ and It’s Fine ‘Some People’ Are Still Mad: ‘I Defend Their Right to Criticize Me’

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George Clooney recently chatted with CNN’s Jake Tapper (as reported by Daily Beast) and expressed that although some individuals may still be upset about his plan to run against Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential race, he feels content with his choice as it was a matter of fulfilling his “civic responsibility.” Tapper informed the Academy Award recipient that his supporters viewed his decision as “courageous.

Clooney expressed doubt about whether it was brave, but rather felt it was a matter of civic responsibility. As a Democrat in Kentucky, he understood the perspective of those on his side of the street. However, when he saw people from his side not telling the truth, he believed it was time to speak up. Of course, some may be upset, but that’s alright. The notion of freedom of speech is you can’t demand the right to speak freely and then ask others not to criticize you.”

Or more casually:

“Clooney wasn’t sure if it was brave, but he saw it as a duty to speak up when people on his side of the political spectrum weren’t telling the truth. He understands that some might get upset, but freedom of speech means you can’t demand others to be silent about you.

He went on to say, ‘If you’re committed to something, you need to make your position known.’ Stand firm in your beliefs and face the repercussions. That’s how it works, so when people judge me – they judged me for my anti-war stand 20 years ago, they protested my films and created a deck of cards with my image on it – I have to accept that, it’s only fair. I’m comfortable with that criticism, I’m comfortable with being criticized for my beliefs. I respect their right to judge me as much as I expect them to respect my right to judge them.

George Clooney grabbed attention on July 10 when he penned an opinion piece in The New York Times, advising Joe Biden to withdraw his candidacy following his disappointing showing against Donald Trump during the first debate for the 2024 presidential race. This editorial was published just a few weeks after Clooney teamed up with him at a major Hollywood fundraiser, which brought in an unprecedented $28 million.

Three weeks ago at the fundraiser, it was disheartening to observe that Joe Biden wasn’t the ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden from 2010, or even the Biden from 2020. He was more like the one we saw during the debate. Clooney stated this back then, and his sentiment is that it’s about age, something that can’t be reversed. He believes that with this president, we won’t win in November, and neither will we secure the House or Senate. This isn’t just my personal view; it’s a shared opinion among senators, congress members, governors – both publicly and privately.

In the end, Biden ceased his role as the Democratic nominee, a move that Clooney later commended, stating that Biden was “preserving democracy yet again.” Subsequently, Clooney expressed support for Kamala Harris as president. At the Venice Film Festival, Clooney described Biden’s action as exhibiting the most selfless behavior of any president since George Washington.

Clooney emphasized that one should recall the noble act of an individual who willingly relinquished power, a decision that is rarely seen – it’s common knowledge, as it happens everywhere. He acknowledged that this person suggested a different, presumably better direction, and all praise goes to him. Truly, this is how it was, and I am genuinely proud of the current state of our world.

Clooney is currently starring on Broadway in “Good Night and Good Luck.”

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2025-04-16 17:17