Actor George Clooney, a prominent Hollywood fundraiser for Democrats, stated on Wednesday that President Joe Biden is no longer the same person who won
the White House in 2020 and suggested he should withdraw from his re-election bid.
Clooney co-hosted a star-studded fundraiser for Biden in Los Angeles in June, roughly two weeks before the 81-year-old president struggled in a debate with Republican former President Donald Trump, his opponent in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.
"It's devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe 'big F-ing deal' Biden of 2010," Clooney wrote in the New York Times. "He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate."
"Was he tired? Yes. A cold? Maybe. But our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn't see what we just saw," Clooney added.
A subsequent interview with ABC journalist George Stephanopoulos "only reinforced what we saw the week before," according to Clooney.
Hollywood, often described as an "ATM for Democrats," has traditionally been a significant source of donations for the party. Clooney's event, hosted with actor Julia Roberts, raised over $30 million, which the Biden campaign claimed was the largest Democratic fundraiser in history.
Following Biden's debate performance, several Hollywood donors called for the president to end his campaign. Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, Disney heir Abigail Disney, and filmmaker Rob Reiner are among those who believe Biden should step aside. Screenwriter Damon Lindelof suggested that his Hollywood colleagues stop donating to Democrats until Biden withdraws.
In Washington, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a longtime Biden ally, stated on Wednesday that the president must decide quickly whether he will remain in the race.
Clooney, a lifelong Democrat, wrote: "We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we won’t win the House, and we’re going to lose the Senate."
"This isn’t only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and congress member and governor that I’ve spoken with in private," Clooney continued. "Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly."
When asked to respond, Biden's campaign referred to a letter the president sent to Democrats in Congress, affirming his "firm commitment" to his candidacy and to defeating Trump. Biden acknowledged having a "bad night" at the debate but pledged to stay in the race.
Clooney called on leading Democrats and candidates who risk losing in November to ask Biden to end his campaign. He suggested that the party decide on a new nominee at its August convention, mentioning several possible contenders, including Vice President Kamala Harris and various state governors.
"Let’s hear from Wes Moore and Kamala Harris and Gretchen Whitmer and Gavin Newsom and Andy Beshear and J.B. Pritzker and others," Clooney proposed.
Despite his concerns, Clooney expressed admiration for Biden and considered him a friend.
"I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals. In the last four years, he’s won many of the battles he’s faced," Clooney said. Photo by Paul Bird, Wikimedia commons.