George Clooney Says ‘I Don’t Care’ If Trump Calls Me a ‘Fake Movie Actor’ Because ‘My Job Is Not to Please the President of the United States’

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George Clooney seems unphased by Donald Trump’s criticism. During an interview with Gayle King on “CBS Mornings,” as he discussed his Broadway debut in “Good Night and Good Luck,” he was questioned about the instance where Trump referred to him as a “phony actor” on Truth Social.

I’ve got no time for indifference, as George Clooney shared. I’ve known Donald Trump for quite some time now, but let me be clear, it’s not my duty to win his approval. My role is to uphold truth and integrity whenever I can, knowing full well that this may attract criticism from some quarters. Elon Musk has voiced his opinion about me, and that’s perfectly fine. Just as it’s my prerogative to express my views, so too is it theirs to voice theirs.

Last summer, Trump took to social media to criticize Clooney following an op-ed he wrote for The New York Times. In this piece, Clooney advocated for Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic candidate for president. According to Clooney, Biden had previously defended democracy and could do so again by stepping down and allowing the Democrats a stronger chance of defeating Trump, given his advanced age.

In response, former President Trump tweeted, “Now, the so-called actor from false films, George Clooney – who’s never truly excelled in a great movie – has joined the fray. He’s sided with Crooked Joe, just like the rats they both are.” (The phrase “the rats they both are” can be replaced with other synonyms such as “the vermin they both represent,” or “the scoundrels they’ve become.”)

Trump questioned what Clooney might know about anything. He claimed that Clooney uses the Democratic argument that Biden, considered the worst president in U.S. history, has “saved our Democracy.” Instead, Trump stated that Biden weaponized law enforcement against political opponents, created the most devastating inflation in U.S. history, embarrassed the nation with its withdrawal from Afghanistan, and his open border policy has allowed millions of people to illegally enter the country, many from prisons and mental institutions. Trump contended that Biden did not save democracy but instead weakened it. Trump suggested Clooney should leave politics and return to television, as movies never seemed to be successful for him.

I will, if he does. That’s a deal I’m willing to make.” The audience in the studio erupted with applause.

George Clooney has spoken with CNN’s Jake Tapper, expressing that he feels it’s important for him to challenge Joe Biden in the 2024 Presidential race by supporting a different Democratic candidate, fulfilling what he believes is his civic responsibility.

Clooney commented, “I’m not certain if it was courageous,” he said, “but I felt it was my civic responsibility. As a Democrat in Kentucky, I understand the situation, and when I saw people on my side of the street lying, I felt compelled to act. Some people might be angry, but that’s alright. The concept of free speech is that you can’t ask for freedom of speech and then tell others not to speak negatively about you.

He went on, ‘If you truly support something, you must be prepared to defend it.’ Stand up for what you believe in, deal with the repercussions, that’s the game. When people attack me – they did back then when I spoke out against the war, they protested my films and even made a deck of cards about me – I accept that. It’s fair. I can handle criticism for my beliefs. Just as I defend their freedom to criticize me, I also defend their right to hold their own opinions.

Watch Clooney’s full “CBS Mornings” interview in the video below.

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2025-04-21 20:46