George Clooney seems to have been quite taken aback when Joe Biden didn’t recognize him at a fundraiser for the president’s reelection campaign. This revelation comes from *The Original Sinn*, a book exploring Biden’s spiritual journey, which notes that Clooney felt overlooked despite their long friendship of two decades. The event in June managed to raise $30 million, but Clooney’s surprise at being ignored was palpable. An aide hurriedly stepped in to handle the awkwardness, as reported by the Telegraph.
Biden, for his part, kept repeating “Thank you for being here,” almost as if he was speaking to someone unfamiliar.
The book described Clooney as “shaking to his core” following this disheartening interaction.
There was some commentary on the incident that suggested Clooney’s feelings were justified, noting, “It’s a celebrity who’s fundraising for you, and you don’t even acknowledge him? That’s just offensive,” the Telegraph stated. The moment felt almost surreal, with the Hollywood presence seeming ghostly in its absence of recognition.
Further insights from the book suggest that Biden’s team was actively trying to downplay any effects of the incident and Biden’s apparent mental decline ahead of the upcoming 2024 election. Clooney attempted to engage Biden in conversation, asking about his experience at the G7 summit, to which Biden replied simply, “It was okay.”
An aide reportedly tried to help jog Biden’s memory by stating, “I know George,” but to little effect. After repeated attempts, including the aide stating “George Clooney,” Biden eventually responded with a hesitant, “Yeah, that’s right. Hello George.”
Those present at the fundraiser were quoted in the book expressing their shock about the whole encounter, suggesting it didn’t sit right with them. Interestingly, Clooney hasn’t publicly commented on the specifics of what transpired that evening.
