Hollywood actor and director George Clooney has called on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, stating in an op-ed for The New York Times that Biden is “not the Joe ‘big f***ing deal’ Biden of 2010.” Clooney’s appeal comes three weeks after attending a fundraising event with the President, where questions about Biden’s health surfaced.
Clooney, a lifelong Democrat, praised Biden’s character and achievements but emphasized the challenge of age. “The one battle he cannot win is the fight against time,” Clooney wrote, reflecting on Biden’s recent debate performance against Donald Trump, which was widely criticized.
Biden, 81, has faced increasing scrutiny over his ability to serve a second term. Clooney’s comments come as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other prominent Democrats express reservations about Biden’s candidacy. Pelosi, when asked about her support for Biden on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, deferred, stating, “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run.”
The President’s campaign has been strained by these growing concerns, with his health becoming a focal point during this week’s NATO summit in Washington, D.C. Biden has remained firm in his decision to run, urging his party to support him.
Clooney concluded his essay by calling Biden a “hero” for defeating Trump in 2020, but stressed the need for new leadership to ensure a Democratic victory in November 2024.
