George Clooney has offered a revealing look into his past relationship with Donald Trump, describing the president as “a big goofball” before his entry into politics fundamentally changed him.
In an interview with Variety, Clooney said he knew Trump very well during their years of friendship. Trump used to call Clooney a lot, and even tried to help Clooney get into a hospital to see a back surgeon. Clooney saw Trump at clubs and restaurants, recalling a more lighthearted version of the man who would eventually become president.
“He’s a big goofball. Well, he was,” Clooney told Fox News. “That all changed.”
The remarks from Clooney come amid a broader public exchange between the actor and Trump that has escalated in recent days. Clooney said Trump changed after entering politics, marking a clear departure from the personality the actor once knew on a personal level.
Trump responded to Clooney’s comments by calling the actor the worst political prognosticator. In posts on Truth Social, Trump called Clooney’s movies mediocre and said Clooney wasn’t a movie star.
The verbal sparring between the two intensified after Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, were granted French citizenship on January 1 2026. The family, including their children, received citizenship in France, where the couple owns an estate in Provence.
Trump posted his criticism on Truth Social around December 30 2025, and continued into the new year, with Trump attacking both Clooney’s political commentary and his professional accomplishments in Hollywood.
Clooney responded to Trump’s criticism on January 2 2026, agreeing to make America great again. The actor said the effort will start in November, an apparent reference to the midterm elections when control of Congress will be decided.
“I totally agree with the current president,” Clooney said, according to AOL. “We have to make America great again. We’ll start in November.”
The exchange between Clooney and Trump has roots in the previous presidential election cycle. Clooney wrote an op-ed calling for Joe Biden not to seek reelection, a move that drew significant attention from both political observers and Trump himself. Biden eventually withdrew from the race and endorsed Kamala Harris, who went on to lose to Trump in the general election.
In his interview with Variety, Clooney also criticized CBS and ABC for settling lawsuits with Trump. The actor argued that the media outlets’ decisions to settle rather than fight the legal challenges contributed to the current political climate in the United States.
The dispute highlights the increasingly vocal role that Hollywood figures have played in political discourse, particularly regarding Trump’s presidency. While some celebrities have openly supported the president, others like Clooney have maintained a critical stance.
Trump has found support from several prominent entertainment industry figures. Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, and Jason Aldean have all publicly backed the president. Trump appointed three celebrity envoys for Hollywood, naming Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone to serve as special ambassadors focused on promoting business in the entertainment industry.
The appointment of these Hollywood figures reflects Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape the entertainment industry’s relationship with his administration. The president has frequently criticized what he perceives as liberal bias in Hollywood while cultivating relationships with conservative-leaning celebrities.
Clooney’s decision to obtain French citizenship alongside his family comes at a time when several American celebrities have explored or obtained citizenship in other countries. France’s privacy laws and lifestyle have long attracted high-profile Americans seeking alternatives to life in the United States.
The Provence estate owned by the Clooneys represents a significant investment in their European presence. The property provides the family with a substantial base in France, where they can take advantage of their newly granted citizenship status.
Trump’s criticism of Clooney extended beyond the actor’s political commentary to include personal attacks on his career achievements. By calling Clooney’s movies mediocre and questioning his status as a movie star, Trump escalated the dispute beyond political differences into personal territory.
The back-and-forth between Clooney and Trump illustrates the ongoing tension between the entertainment industry and the current administration. While some Hollywood figures have found common ground with Trump, others like Clooney continue to maintain oppositional stances, using their platforms to criticize the president’s policies and actions.
Clooney’s involvement with political commentary dates back years, with the actor frequently using his celebrity status to advocate for various causes and candidates. His op-ed calling for Biden to step aside from the race demonstrated his willingness to take controversial positions even within his own political party.
As the midterm elections approach, exchanges like the one between Clooney and Trump underscore the continued role that celebrity voices play in American political discourse. Clooney’s response to Trump’s attacks suggests he remains committed to using his platform to advocate for political change, even in the face of personal criticism from the president.
The relationship between Trump and Hollywood has always been complex, dating back to his years as a television personality and real estate mogul. His transition from entertainment figure to politician disrupted many of the relationships he had cultivated in the industry, including his friendship with Clooney.
Trump’s appointments of Voight, Gibson, and Stallone as special ambassadors to Hollywood signal his administration’s intention to maintain influence in the entertainment industry despite opposition from many prominent figures. These appointments give the president direct connections to the industry through allies who share his political views.
For Clooney, the exchange with Trump represents another chapter in his long history of political engagement. The actor has consistently used his fame to draw attention to causes and candidates he supports, making him one of Hollywood’s most politically active celebrities. His willingness to criticize Trump directly, despite the personal attacks that result, demonstrates his commitment to remaining vocal on political issues.
The timing of Trump’s criticism ensured maximum attention for the exchange. Both Trump and Clooney have large public followings, making their dispute a topic of widespread interest across news outlets and social media platforms.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the Clooney-Trump exchange serves as a reminder of the personal relationships that have been reshaped by Trump’s political career. What began as a friendship between a celebrity businessman and a Hollywood actor has transformed into a public dispute characterized by sharp criticism and pointed responses from both sides.
The dispute also highlights how Trump’s entry into politics has affected his relationships across various spheres of American life. Clooney’s recollection of a “big goofball” who “changed” reflects a sentiment expressed by others who knew Trump before his political career, suggesting that his transformation from celebrity to politician altered more than just his professional trajectory.
Looking ahead to November, Clooney’s promise to “start” making America great again suggests he plans to play an active role in the midterm elections. Whether through fundraising, campaigning, or continued public commentary, the actor appears committed to engaging in the political process despite the personal attacks that may result from his involvement.