Actor George Clooney, a prominent Democratic Party fundraiser, has made a fervent appeal for President Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign. Clooney, a key figure in Hollywood’s support for the Democrats, joins a growing chorus of public figures urging Biden, 81, to step aside following his lackluster debate performance against Donald Trump last month.
“I love Joe Biden,” Clooney wrote in the New York Times. “I consider him a friend, and I believe in him… But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time.” Clooney argued that with Biden leading the ticket, Democrats “are not going to win in November,” predicting a loss of control in the Senate and a failure to gain a majority in the House of Representatives.
Clooney’s opinion is not isolated. He claims that every senator, Congress member, and governor he has spoken with privately shares his view. “This is about age. Nothing more. But also nothing that can be reversed,” Clooney emphasized.
Hollywood director Rob Reiner quickly backed Clooney’s call. Reiner, a vocal Democrat, echoed Clooney’s sentiments, stating, “My friend George Clooney has clearly expressed what many of us have been saying… Democracy is facing an existential threat. We need someone younger to fight back. Joe Biden must step aside.”
Clooney, a self-described “lifelong Democrat,” recently co-hosted a star-studded fundraiser with Biden in Los Angeles, which also featured former President Barack Obama. The event raised a record $28 million for the Biden campaign. However, Clooney noted a stark difference in Biden’s demeanor. “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, referencing a famous hot-mic moment from Biden’s vice presidency. “He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” Clooney added, challenging Biden’s claim that his poor debate performance was a one-off.
Actor Michael Douglas, who also hosted a Hollywood fundraiser for Biden in April, acknowledged Clooney’s “valid point” during an appearance on “The View.” While Douglas did not explicitly call for Biden to step aside, he expressed deep concern. “I adore the guy… and this just happens to be one of these elections that is just so crucial,” he said, adding, “I don’t worry necessarily today or tomorrow, but a year down the line, I worry.”
Clooney criticized Democrats’ reluctance to move on from Biden, comparing it to the Republican Party’s unwavering loyalty to Trump. “We love to talk about how the Republican Party has ceded all power… to a single person who seeks to hold on to the presidency, and yet most of our members of Congress are opting to wait and see if the dam breaks,” he said. However, Clooney believes the dam has already broken, urging more Democrats to come forward and ask Biden to step aside.
Clooney dismissed concerns that Biden’s exit would create chaos just months before an election in which Democrats hope to prevent Trump from regaining power. He did not endorse a replacement candidate but highlighted the party’s “very exciting bench,” including Vice President Kamala Harris and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “We don’t anoint leaders or fall sway to a cult of personality; we vote for a president,” Clooney wrote, suggesting that the party should hear from potential contenders and figure it out at the Democratic convention.
Clooney did not indicate whether he would withhold funding until Biden steps down, as Abigail Disney and several other wealthy donors have done. However, his call for Biden to exit the race has added to the growing pressure on the president.
Michael Douglas, in a separate interview with ‘Access Hollywood,’ reiterated his concerns about Biden’s fitness for another term. “What are my concerns? The same concerns as everybody else has. I love the guy. I’ve been supporting him for a long time,” Douglas said. He expressed hope that the issue could be resolved, either by Biden or the party.
Douglas also commented on the lengthy and costly nature of American elections, suggesting that the U.S. could learn from other countries that conduct elections more swiftly and with less financial burden. “Take the money out of elections, it’s getting kind of crazy,” he said.
Clooney’s op-ed has sparked a broader conversation among Democrats and political commentators. Celebrities like Stephen King and Rob Reiner have also called for Biden to step down, while Biden remains defiant, insisting he is still the best candidate to defeat Trump.
In the aftermath of the first debate between Biden and Trump, reactions from late-night hosts and morning show anchors varied. Biden’s performance, marked by a raspy voice and moments of hesitation, has fueled concerns among Democrats about his candidacy. “The View” hosts passionately debated whether Biden should step back, with co-host Joy Behar defending Biden and others expressing doubts about his ability to win.
“Good Morning America” host George Stephanopoulos described the debate as a “disaster for Joe Biden,” while “CBS Mornings” host Gayle King noted that Biden’s struggles overshadowed Trump’s false claims. Jon Stewart, on “The Daily Show,” humorously suggested that both candidates should use performance-enhancing drugs to improve their debate performances.
As the debate over Biden’s candidacy continues, the Democratic Party faces a critical decision about its leadership and strategy for the upcoming election.
Source: New York Times, The View, Access Hollywood, USA TODAY
