George Clooney, the Hollywood actor who significantly influenced ex-President Joe Biden’s decision not to run for re-election, recently expressed what seemed to be an “olive branch” to President Donald Trump. The statement from the notable Democratic supporter marked a substantial change of tone.
Clooney, 63, appeared on CBS’s “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, to promote his Broadway play “Good Night, and Good Luck.” He addressed Trump indirectly, saying, “Good for you. I hope you do well because our country needs it, and we will meet you in 3.5 years and see where we go next.”
This unexpected message came less than a year after Clooney’s influential New York Times op-ed “I Love Joe Biden, But We Need a New Nominee,” which is widely believed to have played a part in Biden’s decision to withdraw. In the July 2024 piece, Clooney praised Biden for his accomplishments as senator, vice president, and president, and expressed his deep respect for Biden’s character and morals.
The actor’s op-ed suggested that Biden’s age and deteriorating performance would prevent his re-election. Clooney commented that the Biden he had recently seen was not the same as the Biden from 2010 or even 2020. This came shortly after Clooney had hosted a $30 million fundraiser for Biden’s presidential campaign.
Clooney went on to state in his op-ed that his view was shared by many Democratic leaders, regardless of their public statements. He insisted that choosing a new nominee would reinvigorate the Democratic party and re-attract voters who had become disinterested before the June presidential debate.
Despite initial resistance from the Biden campaign, Biden announced his withdrawal from the race on July 21, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Clooney quickly backed Harris, narrating campaign ads that appealed to male voters to consider how a Trump presidency would impact the women in their lives.
However, despite their efforts, Harris and running mate Tim Walz lost to Trump and JD Vance in the Electoral College, 312 to 226. The popular vote was tighter, with Trump-Vance receiving 77.3 million votes (49.8%) compared to Harris-Walz’s 75.01 million (48.3%).
During his appearance on “The Late Show,” Clooney talked about his history with Democratic politics. He mentioned his upbringing in a Democratic family in Kentucky and his first vote for Jimmy Carter in 1980. He also acknowledged both victories and losses in past elections, highlighting that such shifts are part of the democratic process.
While discussing the recent election results, Clooney made a sarcastic comment about the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, asking if he was expected to storm the Capitol in protest. His remark was met with applause from the studio audience, emphasizing the absurdity of refusing to accept a democratic outcome.
Clooney then shared a personal story about his seven-year-old son Alexander’s chess tournaments. He explained that when his son becomes frustrated after a match, he reminds him to shake his opponent’s hand, say “good game,” and focus on the next game. Clooney emphasized that this lesson applies not just to chess, but to life, including politics.
Host Stephen Colbert then knocked on his wooden desk, which caught Clooney’s attention. When asked what he was doing, Colbert implied that he was hoping for future elections, a reference to Trump’s contentious remark in his July 2024 campaign speech to Christian conservatives, where he suggested that if they voted for him, future elections might not be necessary.
Clooney underscored the need for civility in politics, stating, “It’s part of democracy. There are people who agree and disagree, and most of us still like each other; we’re all gonna get through it.”