George Clooney defended his controversial July 2023 New York Times op-ed calling for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, characterizing it as a 'civic duty'. He argued that Biden, while having won many battles, couldn't win against time.
Clooney's stance garnered mixed reactions. While some praised his 'bravery', others criticized him. He acknowledged this criticism, emphasizing the importance of freedom of speech and the need to accept consequences for one's actions. His past experiences, such as facing criticism for his anti-war stance, prepared him for this reaction.
Donald Trump called Clooney a 'rat' for his op-ed. Additionally, allegations that Barack Obama influenced Clooney's decision led to a reported angry outburst from Clooney towards an MSNBC producer.