Hollywood actor George Clooney has delivered a pointed riposte to former US President Donald Trump, turning one of Trump's most famous political slogans against him. The latest salvo in their long-running public feud came after Trump derided Clooney as a "mediocre" actor and criticised his recent acquisition of French citizenship.
A War of Words Escalates
The exchange began when Clooney discussed his past relationship with Trump in a recent Variety magazine interview. Clooney revealed he once knew Trump "very well," describing him as a "big goofball" before their relationship soured. "That all changed," the Oscar-winner stated.
Trump responded aggressively on his Truth Social platform on New Year's Eve, labelling Clooney one of the "worst political prognosticators of all time." He attacked the actor's career, claiming Clooney "got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies." Trump also repeated his assertion that Clooney had "dumped" President Joe Biden by urging him to withdraw from the 2024 election.
Clooney's Sarcastic Retort and Provence Property
Clooney's counter-strike, reported by Deadline, was succinct and loaded with political irony. "We have to make America great again," Clooney said. "We'll start in November." This directly references Trump's iconic campaign slogan, implying that change will come through the upcoming presidential election.
The president's rant also took aim at the news that Clooney and his wife, renowned human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, have recently obtained French citizenship. The couple own a significant property in Provence, a $8.3 million, 425-acre estate purchased in 2021. The compound features an 18th-century mansion, a swimming pool, tennis court, extensive gardens, and an ornamental lake.
Broader Criticisms and a Billion-Dollar Career
Beyond the personal insults, Clooney used the original interview to criticise major US news networks. He suggested that if outlets like CBS and ABC had fought certain lawsuits instead of settling, the American media landscape would be healthier. "If CBS and ABC had challenged those lawsuits and said, 'Go f*** yourself,' we wouldn't be where we are in the country," he argued.
Despite Trump's characterisation of him as a "third-rate movie actor," Clooney's career achievements are substantial. He is among the highest-grossing stars in the US, with his films generating over $2 billion globally. His mantlepiece holds two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes.
Clooney has previously expressed concern about being targeted by Trump's administration but remains defiant. "I want to be able to look at my kids in the eye and say where we stood and what we did at certain times in history," he told CNN's Anderson Cooper in the summer.
This public spat is merely the latest chapter in a years-long conflict between the former friends, highlighting the deep cultural and political divides that continue to characterise American public life.
