The once-tight relationship between George Clooney and Barack Obama is reportedly under stress following the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election, marking a notable fallout between the celebrity and the former president.
Breitbart reported that the actor's endorsement of Kamala Harris, allegedly influenced by Obama's strategic suggestions, has left Clooney feeling scapegoated after Harris's electoral defeat.
Clooney's longtime friendship with Obama is at the heart of this political debacle. The actor's prominent role in the 2024 election gained traction when he penned a significant op-ed for The New York Times back in June 2024. In this piece, Clooney urged President Joe Biden to forgo his bid for a second term, citing a lackluster showing in a recent debate.
This move fueled speculation from political analysts, who posited that Clooney's bold move was driven by Obama's maneuvering.
The suggestion was that Clooney was effectively acting on behalf of Obama to accelerate the end of Biden's political campaign. This theory gained traction as Clooney became a vocal supporter of Kamala Harris, who was set to become the new Democratic frontrunner post-Biden's withdrawal.
Amidst the political shifts, Clooney took a personal step further by endorsing Kamala Harris. He put his celebrity status to work by recording campaign ads aimed at engaging working-class voters. Despite these efforts, Harris ultimately lost the election to Donald Trump, who secured both the electoral and popular vote.
Clooney’s involvement hasn’t come without backlash. Following the defeat, he found himself at the center of criticism from within his own party. Many in the Democratic camp redirected their dissatisfaction toward Clooney, suggesting his actions contributed significantly to the unexpected losses.
This scrutiny extends beyond Clooney, putting the Democratic Party's strategy of leveraging Hollywood endorsements under a microscope. A recent poll indicates that American voters are increasingly turning away from celebrity influence in politics, raising questions about the effectiveness of such endorsements for the Democratic agenda.
Sources close to the actor paint a picture of a disenchanted political activist. One entertainment industry insider disclosed that Clooney is "furious with Obama" for allegedly disappearing from public view after the election's disappointing results. The source indicated that Clooney felt abandoned, as if left "holding the bag" for the strategy that didn’t pay off.
Another source revealed Clooney’s sense of betrayal. He reportedly feels misled by Obama and vowed never to serve as anyone's "political water boy" in the future. This sentiment has been amplified by the fallout, where Clooney reportedly believes he took "a bullet for the team" during a crucial political moment, only to face blame for "the bloodbath" that ensued.
According to insiders, Clooney is dismayed by Obama's silence following the election. Clooney expected Obama to publicly acknowledge the actor's effort, reinforcing that Clooney’s actions were made in good faith and should not be singularly blamed for the outcome. However, the anticipated public support has yet to materialize, leaving Clooney feeling unjustly portrayed as a "patsy."
The role of celebrities like Clooney, with noted support from figures such as Beyoncé, has heightened the conversation about Hollywood’s place in politics.
Despite the collective push from high-profile endorsements—which aimed to energize Harris's campaign—Clooney found himself the singular face of this strategy due to his direct call for Biden to step aside.
Clooney’s direct approach, aimed to energize his Hollywood connections, indeed thrust him into the spotlight, resulting in criticism as skeptics questioned the validity of such frontal endorsements.
The Democratic Party now faces a pivotal moment of reflection. The strategy that once seemed advantageous during the campaign season has pulled back a curtain on the limitations and potential repercussions of aligning too heavily with celebrity endorsements.
Meanwhile, the actor is contemplating stepping back from future political forays. The criticism and a sense of betrayal have reportedly made Clooney reconsider his role in political activism. His past willingness to leverage his platform politically is now overshadowed by the current backlash and his disappointment with the unfolding events.
