Actor and prominent Democratic donor George Clooney has definitively stated he will not run for president, citing his age as the main deterrent. Speaking Friday at The Future of Creativity event in Venice, Italy, the 65-year-old actor said he believes younger voices with fresh ideas are needed in leadership.
Clooney expressed enthusiasm for several Democratic politicians he believes would be strong contenders for the White House in 2028. Among those he named were Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. He noted that while he admires these individuals, he would hold off on explicit endorsements until after the upcoming November midterm elections.
"I think we need to get some younger people in," Clooney stated, emphasizing his preference for candidates who are not his age or older. This sentiment echoes his public stance in July 2024, when he wrote an op-ed in The New York Times suggesting President Joe Biden, then 81, should withdraw from the presidential race due to concerns about his age. Clooney’s op-ed was published just 11 days before Biden announced his decision to end his re-election bid.
Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, in her book about the election, criticized Clooney's intervention. She noted his significant influence as a celebrity Democrat, stating that his opinion garnered considerable media and public attention. Jean-Pierre, who attended a fundraiser with Biden and Clooney, suggested that Clooney’s assessment did not offer the full context, attributing some of Biden's perceived fatigue to extensive travel.
Clooney highlighted his long-standing involvement in Democratic fundraising, dating back to 1988, and described himself as a significant fundraiser for the party. He believes his perspective on leadership age is important for the party's future.
Ossoff, 39, was first elected to the Senate in 2021, becoming the youngest senator elected since 1980 and the first millennial U.S. senator. Clooney's comments underscore a broader discussion about age and experience in political leadership.