Clooney Critiques CBS News Leadership Amid Political Turmoil

George Clooney, the actor who moved from the U.S. to France and arranged for his children to acquire French citizenship, is criticizing CBS News chief Bari Weiss for allegedly “dismantling” the news department.

Clooney expressed his grievances, stating, “Bari Weiss is tearing down CBS News as we speak.” He shared concerns about the overall state of journalism, stressing that he’s more worried about how we will stay informed without a functioning press. “Do I worry about the movie studios? Absolutely. That’s my job, but my primary loyalty is to my country,” he emphasized.

This criticism followed comments from Weiss that many interpreted as bigoted. An episode of 60 Minutes reportedly faced backlash after producers dismissed her push for a more balanced report.

While Clooney didn’t provide specific evidence to back up his claims against Weiss, he raised broader concerns over the merger between Skydance Media and Paramount, and mentioned Trump’s threat to sue CBS for altering an interview to benefit Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.

“If CBS and ABC had challenged these lawsuits and said, ‘We wouldn’t be in this country anymore,'” Clooney stated. “That’s just the truth.”

In July, CBS and Paramount reportedly reached a $16 million settlement with Trump regarding the lawsuit.

Reflecting on current challenges, Clooney said, “These are very difficult times. It can make you depressed or very angry. But you have to find the most positive way to get through it. Quitting is not an option, so you have to keep your head down and keep moving forward.”

Clooney took aim at Trump, critiquing the cost of living and stating, “To put it bluntly, the economy is stupid. It’s more expensive now than it was when Joe Biden left office.” He noted that cruelty in policy, like separating children from their parents, may resonate with some but is unacceptable to most Americans.

However, one might argue that Clooney, living in a multimillion-dollar villa in France, may not see the changing economic landscape the same way average Americans do. For many, gas prices are noticeably lower than they were during Biden’s presidency, and costs for essentials have eased. Wages have risen, more Americans are being hired, and inflation is currently below levels seen during Biden’s less favorable years, with a growth rate now hitting 4.3% compared to Biden’s lower growth figures.

Clooney also expressed concerns about the consolidation in Hollywood, lamenting that the distinctiveness of individual studios is fading. “I liked having separate studios and what each one was good at, but that specialization is gone,” he remarked. “I’m worried that everything will be rolled into one giant company. That’s very sad. Sometimes a big company buys all these small players and they all lose their identity.”