Hollywood actor George Clooney has publicly responded to former US President Donald Trump, after Trump mocked the star's decision to become a French citizen and relocate his family permanently to France.
A Transatlantic War of Words
The spat ignited after it was confirmed earlier this week that George Clooney, 64, his wife, human rights lawyer Amal, 47, and their eight-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, had made the move to live in France full-time. Clooney had previously explained his reasons for leaving Los Angeles, stating he was "worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood."
In a New Year's Eve social media post, Trump launched a scathing attack on the couple. He labelled them "two of the worst political prognosticators of all time" and criticised France's "major crime problem." Trump also took aim at Clooney's professional career, branding him an "average" actor who makes "totally mediocre" films.
Clooney's Sardonic Retort
Clooney issued a pointed response on New Year's Day in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. He said, "I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again." He then added a clear reference to the upcoming November 2026 US elections, stating, "We'll start in November."
The Oscar-winner had elaborated on his family's move in an October interview with Esquire magazine. His primary motivation was the quality of life for his children. "I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life," Clooney said. "France - they kind of don't give a sh*t about fame. I don't want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi."
Life on a French Farm
The Clooney family now resides on a sprawling farm in France, which boasts 100 acres of grapes and 1,200 olive trees. Despite the couple's combined net worth being estimated at over £400 million, they are instilling a strong work ethic in their children. Clooney described how he recently had the twins help him paint a fence rather than hire someone.
"At first they're taking these little, tiny brushstrokes," he recalled. "And I go, 'Nooo, paint the goddamn fence.' And then they go crazy painting the fence... They did the job, was the point." He paints an idyllic picture of their new life: "They're not on their iPads... They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life."
Clooney also reflected on his own humble beginnings, contrasting his current wealth with a past where he cut tobacco for three dollars an hour and slept on a closet floor. He shared an anecdote about breaking down in his classic car with Amal, where he fashioned a replacement fan belt from her stockings—a skill born from years of financial struggle.
The adjustment to French life, however, comes with one admitted challenge for George: the language. He confessed he is still "horrible" at French, while his wife and children are fluent. "They speak [perfect] French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face, and I don't know," he joked to French broadcaster Canal+.
