In a stunning political intervention that has sent shockwaves through the Democratic establishment, Hollywood A-lister George Clooney has publicly called for President Joe Biden to abandon his re-election bid.
The Oscar-winning actor and prominent Democratic fundraiser delivered his bombshell assessment just weeks after co-hosting a star-studded fundraiser for Biden that raised a record-breaking $28 million.
A Damning Assessment
Clooney didn't mince words in his New York Times op-ed, stating unequivocally that the 81-year-old president is no longer the man he was when they campaigned together in 2020. "It's devastating to say it," Clooney wrote, "but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe 'big F-ing deal' Biden of 2010."
The actor's dramatic intervention comes amid growing panic within Democratic ranks following Biden's disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump last month. Despite initially rallying behind their candidate, party insiders are increasingly concerned about Biden's ability to secure victory in November.
The Fundraiser That Changed Everything
Clooney described in detail the June 15th fundraiser at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater, which he co-hosted with Julia Roberts. While the event broke fundraising records, it revealed something more troubling to the actor.
"He wasn't just the winner of an argument with Donald Trump," Clooney observed. "He was the big guy, the guy we were all proud to stand with. That guy was gone."
The Kamala Harris Question
While not explicitly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden's replacement, Clooney acknowledged she would be a natural successor. His comments add weight to growing speculation that Harris represents the most logical alternative should Biden step aside.
The timing of Clooney's intervention is particularly significant given his status as one of Hollywood's most influential political donors and his long-standing relationship with the Obama-Biden political machine.
Democratic Division Deepens
Clooney's public break with Biden highlights the deepening divisions within the Democratic party as the election approaches. His op-ed represents the most high-profile call for Biden to step aside from within the party's donor class.
As pressure mounts on the ageing president, the question remains whether other prominent Democrats will follow Clooney's lead in publicly urging Biden to make way for a new generation of leadership.
