Actor George Clooney has sharply criticized the current US administration, labeling it a "kakistocracy" and lamenting a perceived absence of "decency" in public life. Speaking at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, Clooney stated that the country is being run by "the least qualified people."

"We've had some other difficult times but this is one of them," Clooney said. "There is a great word, kakistocracy, which is a country run by the least qualified people. I think maybe we have a kakistocracy right now but we will get through it. We will have an election in November that should be a check and balance and then in 2028, with any luck, we will have some restoration."

He specifically denounced President Donald Trump's administration as "cruel," arguing that basic standards of decency have eroded. "The idea that cruelty is the base, that being cruel and unkind is part of the fun of all this," Clooney told reporters.

Clooney pointed to a tweet by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which appeared to mock the physical appearance of an overweight female Canadian soldier. Hegseth had posted an image from a cadet training center in British Columbia with the caption: "This is real."

"Where is the sense of decency in all this? I'm ashamed of all of that but we will get through it and we will come out better on the other side," Clooney added.

Despite his criticisms, Clooney identified himself as an optimist, drawing parallels to darker periods in US history, such as 1968, when he recalled widespread civil unrest and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. "There was tons of violence. The Capitol was surrounded with tanks," he said.

Clooney was honored with a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. He has engaged in a public dispute with President Trump for years, including clashing over the conflict in the Middle East, where Clooney accused Trump of a "war crime." The White House, through Communications Director Steven Cheung, responded to Clooney's accusations in April, stating, "The only person committing war crimes is George Clooney for his awful movies and terrible acting ability."

Clooney countered this remark, telling Us Weekly, "Families are losing their loved ones. Children have been incinerated. The world's economy is on a knife's edge. This is a time for vigorous debate at the highest levels. Not for infantile name calling."

He further clarified that a "war crime is alleged 'when there is intent to physically destroy a nation,' as defined by the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute." The actor also questioned the administration's defense, referencing the president's past criticisms of his acting career.

This exchange also occurred amidst reports that Clooney's wife, international human rights attorney Amal Clooney, had been "cautioned" by the Foreign Office regarding legal advice she provided in a war crimes case against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which could impact her ability to enter the US under sanctions imposed by Trump. The couple reportedly divides their time between the UK, Italy, and the US.