In a recently resurfaced interview, actor George Clooney fiercely responded to comments made by former President Donald Trump. The 45th U.S. president allegedly targeted Hollywood celebrities, including Clooney, on social media.
The backlash gained momentum after Meryl Streep's acceptance speech at the Golden Globes in 2017. Streep voiced her concerns about Trump's capabilities, and many shared her sentiments. Trump's response was to call Streep "one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood." Although Streep never directly named anyone in her speech, her references were evident.
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This event spurred what many now refer to as the "Hollywood versus Donald Trump" cultural conflict. Trump often labeled celebrities who openly disagreed with him as "liberal movie people" and "Hollywood elites." He insinuated that because of their luxurious lifestyles, they couldn’t genuinely empathize with or care for the average American — a sentiment he claimed to possess.
In an interview with the Daily Beast, Marlow Stern questioned Clooney about his views on Trump's promotion of a cultural divide between "coastal elites" and Middle America, highlighting the irony that Trump belongs to the "coastal elite" group.
"Here's the thing: I grew up in Kentucky. I sold insurance door-to-door. I sold ladies' shoes. I worked at an all-night liquor store," Clooney said. "I would buy suits that were too big and too long and cut the bottom of the pants off to make ties so I'd have a tie to go on job interviews. I grew up understanding what it was like to not have health insurance for eight years. So this idea that I'm somehow the ‘Hollywood elite' and this guy who takes a sh-t in a gold toilet is somehow the man of the people is laughable.
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"He lives in a gold tower and has 12 people in his company. He doesn't run a corporation of hundreds of thousands of people he employs and takes care of. He ran a company of 12 people! When you direct a film you have seven different unions all wanting different things, you have to find consensus with all of them, and you have to get them moving in the same direction. He's never had to do any of that kind of stuff. I just look at it and I laugh when I see him say ‘Hollywood elite.' Hollywood elite? I don't have a star on Hollywood Boulevard, Donald Trump has a star on Hollywood Boulevard! F–k you!"
Although Clooney is an A-list Hollywood celebrity, he didn't just fall into fame. Starting with minor roles in television shows during the late 1970s and early 1980s, he gradually built his reputation. In the 1990s, he rose to fame with the medical drama "ER," when playing the role of Dr. Doug Ross earned him two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Clooney then transitioned to the big screen, delivering iconic performances in movies such as "Out of Sight" and the "Ocean's" trilogy. He proved his versatility as an actor in critically acclaimed films like "Syriana," for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Clooney didn't stop there; he ventured into directing with movies like "Good Night, and Good Luck," "The Ides of March" and "Suburbicon." His work as a producer has also been noteworthy with films such as "Argo" winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.
In addition to his film career, Clooney is a known humanitarian, co-founding the "Not On Our Watch" organization with fellow Hollywood actors to draw attention to global issues and prevent mass atrocities. He has also been involved in advocacy for Sudan's Darfur conflict and has participated in various charity activities.
Considering his extensive resume built on years of hard work and dedication, Clooney's comments in the interview with the Daily Beast resonate even more powerfully. Contrary to being handed success, Clooney emphasized the years of struggle, hard work and resilience it took to attain his status.
In the years since this rant, Clooney has been outspoken about his disagreements with Trump. On multiple occasions, whether during interviews, public events or on social media, Clooney has taken the chance to criticize Trump's policies, comments and leadership style. From Trump's stance on immigration to his handling of international relations and his approach to domestic issues, Clooney has not held back in expressing his concerns and opposition.
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