Hollywood icon George Clooney has issued a sharp response to former US President Donald Trump, who publicly mocked the actor and his wife for obtaining French citizenship.
The Spark of the Feud
The controversy ignited in late December when it was revealed that George Clooney and his British-Lebanese wife, Amal Clooney, had received their French passports. Their eight-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, were already French citizens. The actor, known for his liberal political views, has previously pointed to France's strong privacy laws as a key reason for choosing to raise his family there.
Trump's New Year's Eve Broadside
On New Year's Eve, Donald Trump took to social media to criticise the Clooneys' decision. In his post, he described France as being 'in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration', comparing it to the situation under President Joe Biden.
Trump went further, dismissing Clooney's film career. 'He wasn't a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics,' Trump wrote. He also labelled Clooney's movies as 'totally mediocre' and criticised the actor's political endorsements.
Clooney's Succinct and Pointed Retort
George Clooney did not let the comments slide. In a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-winning actor delivered a concise but loaded reply. 'I totally agree with the current president,' Clooney said, referring to Trump's famous campaign slogan. 'We have to make America great again. We'll start in November.'
This remark is widely seen as a direct reference to the upcoming US presidential election in November 2024, positioning Clooney's support firmly behind the Democratic camp against a potential Trump comeback bid.
The exchange highlights the ongoing culture wars in American politics, where celebrities like Clooney frequently find themselves targets of criticism from conservative figures. The Clooneys' choice to formalise their life in France continues to be a point of political contention, intertwining personal lifestyle decisions with broader national debates on immigration and values.
