A once-solid friendship between Hollywood actor George Clooney and former President Barack Obama faces strain following the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election.
According to Breitbart News, Clooney is reportedly "furious" with Obama for allegedly using him as a scapegoat in a failed political strategy that led to Kamala Harris's defeat in the presidential election.
The controversy stems from Clooney's influential New York Times op-ed that called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from his re-election campaign after a poor debate performance in June. This move, which many believed was orchestrated by Obama, set off a chain of events that ultimately contributed to Donald Trump's electoral victory.
Entertainment industry sources reveal deep frustration from Clooney's camp regarding Obama's apparent abandonment after the election results. An unnamed source shared their insight about the situation, stating:
George is furious with Obama for disappearing after the election disaster and leaving him holding the bag for pushing the plan with his Hollywood pals.
The fallout has severely impacted Clooney's position within Democratic circles. Another source indicated that the actor feels betrayed and manipulated, expressing that he would no longer serve as anyone's political operative.
The situation became more complicated when Clooney publicly endorsed Kamala Harris after Biden's withdrawal. He even participated in campaign activities, including recording commercials targeting working-class male voters.
The failed strategy has highlighted a significant shift in celebrity political influence. Recent polling data suggests that American voters are increasingly resistant to celebrity political endorsements, dealing a blow to Democratic campaign strategies.
Another source close to the situation elaborated on Clooney's current state of mind:
George feels he stepped up and took a bullet for the team, and now everyone's complaining about the bloodbath. Lots of celebrities, like Beyoncé, were on the campaign trail pumping up Kamala, but George became the face of the Hollywood liberals by directly calling for Biden to end his campaign and throwing the whole process into chaos.
The backlash has prompted Clooney to reportedly step back from political activism, marking a significant shift in his public persona.
The incident has created ripples throughout both Hollywood and political circles. Democrats have reportedly scapegoated Clooney for the electoral loss, straining relationships that were once considered unshakeable.
The actor reportedly expects Obama to publicly acknowledge that Clooney's actions were appropriate, though sources suggest such support is unlikely to materialize. This tension highlights the complex relationship between Hollywood influence and political strategy.
The situation has broader implications for the Democratic Party's reliance on celebrity endorsements, as polling indicates diminishing returns from such strategies.
George Clooney, once a trusted ally of Barack Obama, finds himself at odds with the former president following a failed political strategy that contributed to Kamala Harris's defeat in the 2024 presidential election. The actor's New York Times op-ed calling for Biden's withdrawal, followed by his support for Harris's campaign, resulted in significant backlash after Trump's victory. This political miscalculation has not only strained the relationship between Clooney and Obama but has also led to the actor's retreat from political activism, signaling a potential shift in Hollywood's role in future political campaigns.
