President Donald Trump publicly criticized actor George Clooney and CBS’s “60 Minutes” on Sunday following Clooney’s interview on the long-running news program.
The President referred to the segment as a “total puff piece” and labeled Clooney a “second-rate movie ‘star’ and failed political pundit.”
Clooney, 63, appeared on the July 21 broadcast of “60 Minutes” to discuss his upcoming Broadway debut.
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The actor is set to portray journalist Edward R. Murrow in the play Good Night and Good Luck. During the interview, Clooney also addressed his decision to withdraw support for Democrat Joe Biden and took aim at President Trump and his administration.
President Trump, 78, responded on Truth Social late Sunday, taking issue with the segment’s tone and content.
“Why would the now highly-discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total ‘puff piece’ on George Clooney, a second-rate movie ‘star’ and failed political pundit,” Trump posted.
“He fought hard for Sleepy Joe’s election, and then, right after the Debate, dumped him like a dog. Later, I assume under orders from the Obama camp, pushed all out for ‘Kamala,’ only to soon realize that this was not going to work out too well.”
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The President also criticized CBS for what he described as misleading coverage of Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle.
“60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted Fake answers into her disastrous interview, aired just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast history…And now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!!” he wrote.
Clooney used his interview with correspondent Jon Wertheim to speak broadly about the role of journalism in modern America.
The actor drew parallels between his new theatrical role and what he sees as the current state of political affairs and media relations.
“When the other three estates fail, when the judiciary and the executive and the legislative branches fail us, the fourth estate has to succeed,” Clooney said.
He referenced President Trump’s legal battles with media outlets, including a $16 million settlement with ABC News and a pending $20 billion lawsuit against CBS.
“ABC has just settled a lawsuit with the Trump administration. And CBS News is in the process … We’re seeing this idea of using government to scare or fine or use corporations — to make journalists smaller,” Clooney added.
“Governments don’t like the freedom of the press. They never have. And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side you’re on. They don’t like the press.”
Clooney also elaborated on his widely circulated New York Times op-ed in which he called for Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign.
He defended the decision, citing what he described as a moral obligation to speak truthfully about the state of Democratic leadership.
“Yeah, I’ll make it kinda easy. I was raised to tell the truth,” Clooney told Wertheim.
“I had seen the president up close for this fundraiser, and I was surprised. And so I feel as if there was a lot of profiles in cowardice in my party through all of that. And I was not proud of that. And I also believed I had to tell the truth.”
“I’ve always liked Joe Biden and I like him still,” Clooney said, but clarified he could no longer back the campaign in good faith.
President Trump previously responded to Clooney’s New York Times essay with additional criticism on social media, writing, “What does Clooney know about anything? Clooney should get out of politics and go back to television. Movies never really worked for him!!!”
No response has been issued by CBS or “60 Minutes” regarding Trump’s remarks. Clooney’s Broadway debut is scheduled to open later this year.
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