In a stunning political intervention that has sent shockwaves through the Democratic establishment, Hollywood heavyweight George Clooney has publicly called for President Joe Biden to abandon his re-election bid.
A-List Actor Turns Political Kingmaker
The Oscar-winning actor and prominent Democratic fundraiser, who recently co-hosted a star-studded fundraiser with Biden just last month, delivered his bombshell assessment in a New York Times op-ed published on Wednesday. Clooney's dramatic U-turn comes amid growing panic within Democratic ranks following the president's disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.
'The battle for the soul of America' is no longer a fight Biden can win, Clooney declared, delivering a verdict that could prove devastating to the 81-year-old president's campaign.
Fundraiser Revelations Expose Deeper Concerns
Clooney revealed telling insights from the June 15th fundraiser he hosted at Los Angeles's Peacock Theater, where Biden appeared alongside former President Barack Obama. The event raised over $28 million - a record-breaking haul that now appears overshadowed by concerns about Biden's fitness for office.
"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. He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate."
Hollywood Elite Abandons Ship
The actor's public intervention represents a significant moment in the unfolding Democratic crisis. As one of the party's most high-profile supporters and fundraisers, Clooney's defection could trigger a wider exodus of celebrity and financial backers from Biden's campaign.
Clooney didn't mince words about the political reality facing Democrats: "We are not going to win in November with this president." His assessment echoes private concerns circulating among Democratic donors, strategists and elected officials who fear Biden's candidacy could doom down-ballot races.
The Kamala Harris Question
While stopping short of explicitly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden's replacement, Clooney acknowledged the delicate political calculus involved in any leadership change. His comments come as some Democratic factions quietly rally around alternative candidates, while others fear a messy primary process could fracture the party.
The actor concluded with a sobering warning: "We need a new candidate to face Donald Trump, and we need them to start a new campaign right now." His words represent the most significant celebrity intervention in US politics since the Reagan era, and could mark a turning point in the 2024 presidential race.
