George Clooney Shares Regrets Over Kamala Harris’s Nomination
George Clooney, the Oscar-winning actor, expressed his disappointment regarding the Democratic Party’s choice of then-Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee after Joe Biden announced his campaign for a second term in July 2024.
In a conversation with CBS News during “Sunday Morning,” Clooney referred to a critical New York Times op-ed arguing that Biden’s cognitive decline would prevent him from defeating Donald Trump.
“I mentioned in my op-ed that I hoped we could have a primary,” Clooney said, suggesting they initiate the process quickly. “Let’s get this underway.”
He added, “Kamala’s challenge lies in the fact that she had to run against her own past. If the idea is to say, ‘I’m not that person,’ that’s quite a hurdle. It’s tough. Honestly, I believe that was a mistake.”
After witnessing Biden’s lackluster performance in a debate against Trump on June 27, 2024, Clooney noted in a Times piece that the president had also shown similar vulnerabilities at a high-profile Los Angeles fundraiser he co-hosted shortly before.
Clooney called for Democrats to consider a mini-primary election featuring Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore ahead of the party’s convention in August. However, Biden swiftly withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris, effectively closing the door on an open contest.
Reflecting on the previous summer, Clooney told CBS, “We are where we are now.” He acknowledged that there are concerns about losing additional House seats if Biden had stayed in the race. “To not say anything would mean not being honest,” he remarked.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that Biden deserves credit for his “selfless act” in relinquishing power. “Giving up control is no easy task. We’ve seen it globally. When someone suggests, ‘I think there’s a better way,’ that’s commendable.”
This summer, Clooney faced criticism from Hunter Biden, the former president’s son, who launched a tirade during a podcast. Hunter stated, “There’s no need to be nice about it.” He further commented that Clooney, along with director Quentin Tarantino, should be seen as more of a brand than as actors that command significant respect.
