Weeks after serving as the star of a significant fundraising event for his reelection campaign, actor George Clooney, who had been one of President Joe Biden's strongest backers and contributors in the entertainment industry, urged Biden to withdraw from the presidential contest on Wednesday.
In an editorial article for the New York Times, Clooney declared, "I love Joe Biden." "In my capacity as a senator. both as the president and the vice president. He is a buddy of mine, and I have faith in him.
However, Clooney went on, describing Biden as "not the Joe "huge F-ing deal" Biden of 2010" during the June 15 fundraiser, which also included former President Barack Obama. Not even the Joe Biden of 2020 was he.
Clooney said, "He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate," alluding to Biden's clumsy and appalling performance during the June 27 CNN presidential debate.
Someone who has had private interactions with President Biden made a startling assessment of the latter's current condition when they said that the president's performance in that debate—which the White House and Biden campaign have alternately attributed to a cold and a demanding travel schedule—was not an anomaly.
Clooney has been a longtime friend and supporter of Biden, having spent time with him over the years in addition to being a well-known movie actor and philanthropist. This dates all the way back to when Biden was just starting out as vice president and Clooney stopped by Biden's office, which was located in the West Wing across the hall from the Oval Office. They ended up having a lengthy conversation about aiding Darfur during that visit.
Though Clooney is also friendly with Obama, he and Biden have maintained a strong relationship over the years, even after Biden expressed disapproval of the International Criminal Court's May decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to his actions in Gaza. Amal Clooney, Clooney's wife and international human rights lawyer, played a significant role in crafting that decision. Clooney voiced his dissatisfaction to a senior White House advisor over the phone, but he did not withdraw his backing at that time or from the June benefit. Because the ICC's activities implied a comparison between Israel and Hamas, Biden strongly opposed them.
Given his involvement and advocacy, Clooney is also viewed as a kind of compass by many Democratic supporters in Hollywood. His relationship with Biden up to this point has helped garner support from a wider range of celebrities and donors, including those who weren't very fond of Biden and weren't excited about supporting him before to the debate.
When pressed for an explanation on Wednesday, Biden's team cited the letter the president sent to Congressmen on Monday declaring his intention to stay in the race.
The largest defection against Biden in Hollywood, which the party has traditionally depended on for well-known endorsements and financial backing, is represented by Clooney's opinion piece. It coincides with the public demands of a few Democrats in Congress that Biden resign because of ongoing worries about his age and mental capacity.
The Democratic Party's highest-ever single-event fundraising total of $28 million was generated for Biden's reelection campaign by the Clooney-hosted event. The Los Angeles fundraiser was held on June 15, just after Biden's trip to Italy for the G7 conference, in part because it was the only day Clooney had agreed would work for him, according to a person with knowledge of the plans. One explanation for Biden's dismal performance in the debate last month was his extensive travel schedule.
Clooney urged prominent Democrats to persuade Biden to "voluntarily step aside" in the opinion piece, citing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Clooney cautioned, "With this president, we are not going to win in November," and he added that the politicians he has spoken with in private felt the same way.
He claimed that the public should hear from other lawmakers, such as Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and California Governor Wes Moore, who are thought to be viable Biden replacements on the ticket.
Clooney stated, "We can put our heads in the sand and pray for a miracle in November, or we can speak the truth," acknowledging that "the dam has broken."
Clooney's opinion post was published during the most critical week of Biden's reelection campaign, when the Democratic coalition behind him was beginning to fracture. At least eight members of his own party in Congress have openly requested that Biden leave the ticket.
According to a person with knowledge of the talks, organizers of at least one Chicago fundraiser planned for the Democratic National Convention have chosen not to move forward with the mid-August event, CNN reported on Wednesday. To give everyone time to gather their thoughts, the fundraiser's organizers decided to put off organizing until after the Fourth of July. The host group made the decision to cancel the event this week, citing disagreements about how to move forward in light of the ongoing decline in support for Biden's campaign.
The luncheon, intended for a select group of affluent Windy City residents, is only one of several activities scheduled in tandem with the party convention. The campaign anticipated capitalizing on the passion and bank accounts of wealthy backers as the contest nears its finish. CNN was informed by a Biden campaign representative that the event had nothing to do with their formal fundraising schedule.
Not just Clooney, but a number of well-known Democrats in Hollywood have called Biden to resign. Biden surrogate Rob Reiner, who accompanied Harris to a fundraiser following the debate, echoed the president's demands for resignation.
"What many of us have been saying has been eloquently conveyed by my buddy George Clooney. We regard and adore Joe Biden. We are grateful for what he has done for our nation. However, there is an existential threat to democracy. Someone younger is needed to retaliate. Reiner stated on social media on Wednesday, "Joe Biden needs to step down," and he included a link to Clooney's opinion piece.
Earlier this week, Reiner started urging Biden to resign.
"Time to put an end to this (crap). Our democracy will be lost if the convicted felon prevails. Joe Biden has served the United States honorably, decently, and with dignity. Joe Biden ought to step down, he wrote on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Biden will take part in crucial talks with NATO partners. On Thursday, he will do his first solo press conference since the debate.