George Clooney used his platform at the Venice Film Festival to champion human rights and criticize what he described as the current U.S. administration's lack of decency, while also praising his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.
During a masterclass on Thursday, the actor lauded his wife's legal achievements, stating, "By the way, my wife's the only person to have ever put ISIS on trial and won." He described her as "a badass" who "gets the job done."
Clooney, who received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement on Wednesday, addressed the criticism actors sometimes face for speaking out on political issues. "I didn't give away my freedom of speech the minute I became an actor," he stated, adding that freedom of speech includes the possibility of receiving negative reactions.
He also took aim at former President Trump, referencing "mean tweets" he has received. Clooney had previously called the Trump administration "the least qualified people" and characterized it as a "kakistocracy." He criticized the administration's "cruel" nature and the perceived absence of basic decency in public life.
Clooney drew parallels between the current political climate and difficult periods in U.S. history, such as 1968, a year marked by widespread protests and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. He expressed optimism that the country would overcome current challenges and emerge stronger, particularly citing upcoming elections as a potential check and balance.
His remarks touched upon a tweet by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who posted an image seemingly mocking the appearance of an overweight female Canadian soldier. Clooney questioned the "sense of decency" behind such actions.
Clooney acknowledged that he and his wife have faced criticism for their stances on human rights issues. "Amal’s taken some very difficult stands over the years, and we’ve had to face some pretty heavy criticism based on that," he said. He also mentioned writing an op-ed about President Joe Biden and receiving backlash.
Despite the political discourse, Clooney emphasized the importance of family life, noting that he and his wife strive to maintain a normal family life with their children, filled with "laughing and a lot of love."