In a recent interview on CBS News Sunday Morning, actor and filmmaker George Clooney reaffirmed his stance regarding his op-ed urging President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Clooney addressed criticisms, including a vehement response from Hunter Biden, who labeled him a “brand” and questioned his right to comment on political matters.
During the interview with Seth Doane, Clooney expressed no regrets about writing the New York Times piece, which he believes was necessary for the Democratic Party. “We had a chance. I wanted there to be a primary,” he stated. Clooney emphasized the importance of a competitive process to evaluate candidates effectively, suggesting that the selection of Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee has posed challenges for the party.
Clooney remarked, “The mistake with it being Kamala is she had to run against her own record. It’s very hard to do if the point of running is to say, ‘I’m not that person.’” He believes this situation has placed a heavy burden on Harris, making her path to the nomination particularly difficult. He added, “To not do it would be to say, ‘I’m not gonna tell the truth.’”
In a previous interview with CNN, Clooney described his decision to write the op-ed as a civic duty. “You have to take a stand if you believe in it,” he explained, accepting the criticism that comes with public declarations. Clooney acknowledged that he has faced backlash for his views in the past, particularly regarding his opposition to the war in Iraq.
The conversation took a turn when Clooney addressed Hunter Biden’s outburst during a summer interview with Channel 5, where Biden expressed his anger towards Clooney’s comments. The younger Biden stated, “What right do you have to step on a man who’s given 52 years of his life to the service of this country?” Clooney responded to the tirade, indicating that many of Biden’s claims were misleading.
“I could spend a lot of time debunking many of the things he said because many of the things he said were just outright lies,” Clooney noted. He clarified that he was not acting on behalf of former President Barack Obama and maintained that his comments were his own. Despite the heated exchange, Clooney opted for a measured response, wishing Hunter Biden well in his personal recovery and asserting that public disputes are not beneficial for the Democratic Party.
Clooney’s remarks highlight the complexities of political discourse and the impact of celebrity opinions on public perception. As the political landscape continues to evolve, his candid reflections invite further discussion on the roles of prominent figures in shaping political narratives.
