Actor George Clooney is pushing back against criticism that he contributed to Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to President Donald Trump. Clooney, who had advocated for an alternative to President Joe Biden, is reportedly stepping back from political involvement after being labeled a “scapegoat” by some Democrats.
According to the Daily Mail, Clooney believes the backlash he’s facing is unjustified. “George feels that the backlash he is getting for Kamala losing is not at all warranted,” an unnamed source told the outlet. “He thinks it is completely unfair to try and make him a scapegoat for her loss.”
Clooney’s involvement in the Democratic presidential race began with his op-ed in The New York Times, which reportedly urged Democrats to reconsider Biden as their nominee. Although he didn’t explicitly endorse Harris, Democrats ultimately removed Biden from the ticket and nominated Harris. Critics argue this decision hurt the party’s chances against Trump.
The actor has been a long-time supporter of Democratic causes, raising significant funds for the party. Less than a month before his op-ed, Clooney hosted a fundraiser that reportedly brought in $30 million for Biden’s re-election campaign. However, his subsequent call for change within the party has sparked controversy among Democratic insiders.
Clooney reportedly penned the op-ed after discussions with former President Barack Obama. Although Obama didn’t explicitly direct Clooney’s actions, sources say he didn’t discourage the move either. The two have collaborated on Democratic strategy in the past, with both attending a high-profile fundraiser for Biden earlier this year.
Feeling “disheartened” by the current state of Democratic politics, Clooney has indicated he plans to distance himself from political activism. Supporters argue that his efforts were aimed at strengthening the party, not contributing to its recent loss, while critics continue to point fingers in the aftermath of Harris’ defeat.
