George Clooney applauds Joe Biden for gracefully bowing out of race.

George Clooney is praising President Joe Biden for stepping aside as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential race.

Earlier this year, the award-winning actor and producer, along with other notable figures, urged the president to withdraw from the re-election race. Clooney even penned an op-ed in The New York Times titled, “I Love Joe Biden, but We Need a New Nominee.” Now, Clooney is speaking out in support of Biden’s decision to withdraw and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I’ve never been asked this question before, so I guess I’ll address it here,” Clooney shared at the Venice Film Festival press screening of his upcoming movie, Wolfs, in response to a question about his op-ed. The audience erupted into applause, prompting Clooney to acknowledge, “The real applause should go to the president, who made one of the most selfless decisions since George Washington.”

George Clooney; Joe Biden.

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage; Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty

“All the political maneuvering aside, what will truly be remembered is the act of selflessness by this individual… It’s incredibly difficult to relinquish power, as we’ve seen worldwide. For someone to acknowledge ‘I believe there’s a better path forward,’ all credit should be given to him, and that is the undeniable truth.”

Prior to Biden’s announcement on July 21 to step down from the race and endorse Harris, Clooney had raised concerns about his ability to lead the Democratic Party to victory. 

“The Joe Biden I encountered just three weeks ago at a fundraiser was not the Joe ‘big f—ing deal’ Biden of 2010,” Clooney reflected in his op-ed dated July 10. “He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same individual we all witnessed during the debate.”

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Joe Biden and George Clooney at the 2022 Kennedy Center honoree reception.

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Expressing concerns about the president’s age, 81, following his criticized performance at the June 27 debate with Donald Trump, Clooney expressed, “As Democrats, we collectively hold our breath or lower the volume whenever we witness the president, whom we admire, stepping off Air Force One or approaching a microphone to answer an unscripted question.”

Clooney also revealed conversations with various Democratic senators and congress members, all sharing the sentiment that “we will not succeed in November with this president.” Numerous entertainers, including Stephen King, Rob Reiner, Michael Moore, John Cusack, and Michael Douglas, echoed these concerns.

Reflecting on the potential impact of prominent critics on Biden’s decision, Clooney emphasized that ultimately, it is the president’s decision to step back that will be remembered in history. “Everything else will fade into obscurity,” he remarked at the Wolfs conference in Venice. “I am immensely proud of our current global circumstances, which have surprised many and filled us all with excitement about the future.”

Since withdrawing from the race, Biden has firmly stood by Harris and her running mate for vice president, Tim Walz. In his initial announcement, Biden noted, “Selecting Kamala Harris as my vice president was my first decision as the party nominee in 2020, and it has proven to be the best decision I’ve made. Today, I wholeheartedly endorse Kamala as the party’s nominee for this year. Democrats, let’s come together and defeat Trump. Let’s make it happen.”

FAQs:

Q: Why did George Clooney speak out in support of Joe Biden’s decision to step aside?
A: Clooney commended Biden for making a selfless decision that he believes will ultimately benefit the Democratic Party.

Q: Who did Joe Biden endorse after withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race?
A: Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement in the race.

Q: What concerns did George Clooney raise about Joe Biden’s ability to lead the Democratic Party to victory?
A: Clooney pointed out a shift in Biden’s demeanor and performance, expressing doubts about his potential to secure a victory for the party in the upcoming election.


Credit: ew.com