George Clooney Reflects On Kamala Harris Campaign, Calls It A Mistake
LOS ANGELES — November 5, 2025 — Actor and filmmaker George Clooney has spoken candidly about the Democratic Party’s 2024 election strategy, saying that replacing former President Joe Biden with Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee was “a mistake.” The Hollywood icon’s remarks came during an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, where he revisited his role in urging Biden to step aside.
Clooney, who previously wrote a New York Times op-ed calling for Biden’s withdrawal, said he wished the party had held an open primary instead of quickly rallying around Harris. “I wanted there to be a primary,” Clooney explained. “‘Let’s battle-test this quickly and get it up and going.’”
A Missed Opportunity For Party Debate
The actor noted that Harris faced a challenging campaign from the start, forced to defend her previous record while distancing herself from unpopular policies. “The mistake was that she had to run against her own record,” Clooney said. “That’s a tough position for anyone.”
He added, “I think it was a mistake, quite honestly. But we are where we are.”
Clooney’s comments reignited discussion within the Democratic Party about the decision to consolidate support behind Harris rather than allowing multiple candidates to compete.
Reflecting On His 2024 Op-Ed
In his July 2024 essay for The New York Times, Clooney described witnessing Biden’s cognitive decline at a fundraising event and argued that the party could not win “with this president.” He suggested that if Biden stepped down, a group of strong Democrats—including Wes Moore, Gretchen Whitmer, and Gavin Newsom—could make their case to voters before the convention.
Weeks later, Biden withdrew and endorsed Harris. Within 24 hours, Harris secured the delegate support needed to become the Democratic nominee.
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Responding To Hunter Biden’s Criticism
Clooney also addressed recent criticism from Hunter Biden, who accused him of undermining his father through the op-ed. Appearing on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan, Hunter Biden questioned Clooney’s right to challenge a man “who’s given 52 years of his life to public service.”
Clooney dismissed the remarks, saying that former President Barack Obama did not influence his decision to write the essay. “Obama didn’t put me up to it,” he said. “But I don’t think looking backward helps anyone, particularly him.”
Civic Duty And Democratic Accountability
The Ocean’s Eleven star defended his decision to speak out, calling it his civic duty as both a citizen and supporter of the Democratic Party. “I felt it was necessary to tell the truth as I saw it,” Clooney told CNN earlier this year. “Silence wouldn’t have helped the party prepare for a difficult election.”
Despite his criticism, Clooney emphasized that he continues to support Harris in her political career and remains committed to Democratic values.
Lessons From The 2024 Election
Reflecting on the Democrats’ defeat to Donald Trump, Clooney urged unity and humility. Speaking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he said he teaches his son to accept losses with grace—a principle he applies to politics as well.
“When my son loses a chess game, I tell him, ‘Shake hands and say good game,’” Clooney shared. “That’s how we move forward. We’ll get another chance.”
Looking Ahead To 2028
As speculation grows about the 2028 presidential race, Clooney’s comments highlight ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party about leadership, communication, and generational change. His reflections underscore a call for transparency and competition in future primaries.
“We learn by challenging ourselves,” Clooney concluded. “That’s what democracy is supposed to be.”
