Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on actor George Clooney, trashing his 60 Minutes interview as a ‘total puff piece’ and mocking his Hollywood career after the Oscar-winning actor spoke out to defend the freedom of the press.
Clooney, an outspoken democratic activist, appeared on Sunday’s 60 Minutes to promote his Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck, a play about legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow’s confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy. During the interview, Clooney, 63, didn’t hold back on his political views.
The actor revealed he had stopped supporting Joe Biden and wrote an op-ed for the New York Times, which many believe played a role in Biden’s decision to step down. Clooney framed the ongoing battle between the government and the press as a “fight for the ages.”
“You see it happening at the LA Times, you see it happening at the Washington Post,” Clooney said, referencing protests against the rightwing owners of both newspapers who tried to control their political coverage during the election.
He also drew comparisons between the struggles Murrow faced in Good Night, and Good Luck and the challenges journalists face today. Clooney pointed to Trump’s $16 million defamation settlement with ABC News and the $20 billion “voter interference” lawsuit Trump filed against CBS News. In that case, Trump claimed the network “deceptively edited” an interview with Kamala Harris to make her appear more favorable.
“When the other three estates fail, when the judiciary and the executive and the legislative branches fail us, the fourth estate has to succeed,” Clooney said, underscoring the press’s vital role in holding the government accountable.
“ABC has just settled a lawsuit with the Trump administration. And CBS News is in the process … We’re seeing this idea of using government to scare or fine or use corporations – to make journalists smaller,” he added.
“Governments don’t like the freedom of the press. They never have. And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side you’re on. They don’t like the press,” Clooney said.
Trump didn’t hold back in his response on Truth Social, blasting 60 Minutes and Clooney with venom. “Why would the now highly discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total ‘puff piece’ on George Clooney, a second-rate movie ‘star’ and failed political pundit?” Trump raged.
“He fought hard for Sleepy Joe’s election, and then, right after the Debate, dumped him like a dog. Later, I assume under orders from the Obama camp, pushed all out for ‘Kamala,’ only to soon realize that this was not going to work out too well.”
Trump went on to rehash his earlier attacks on 60 Minutes, accusing them of “fraudulently” editing an interview with Kamala Harris before the election. “60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted Fake answers into her disastrous interview, aired just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast history… And now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!!”
In his 60 Minutes interview, Clooney, who grew up with a journalist father, explained his decision to publicly call for Biden to step down. “I had seen the president up close for this fundraiser, and I was surprised,” Clooney said. “I feel as if there was a lot of profiles in cowardice in my party through all of that. And I was not proud of that. And I also believed I had to tell the truth…”
Trump immediately attacked Clooney’s credibility, calling him a “fake movie actor” who “never came close to making a great movie.” “What does Clooney know about anything?” Trump added. “Clooney should get out of politics and go back to television. Movies never really worked for him!!!”
Clooney was also asked about the defeat of Kamala Harris last year during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Responding with sharp humor, Clooney said, “Well, I don’t know, what am I supposed to do? Storm the f***ing Capitol?” The crowd erupted in applause. Without directly naming Trump, Clooney also made a pointed remark about the new president: “Good for you. I hope you do well because our country needs it, and we will meet you in 3.5 years and see where we go next.”
