President Trump is lambasting actor George Clooney as a “failed political pundit” after CBS’ “60 Minutes” interviewed the longtime Democratic supporter about his debut on Broadway.
Mr. Clooney hailed the freedom of the press as he promoted his play “Good Night, and Good Luck” about famed journalist Edward R. Murrow. Mr. Clooney co-wrote and stars in the stage production.
But the “60 Minutes” interview, which aired Sunday, enraged Mr. Trump, who called it a “puff piece” and pointed to the actor’s role in former President Joseph R. Biden’s U-turn during last year’s campaign.
“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 that was not going to work out to [sic] well,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.
Mr. Trump complained about a situation in which his 2024 opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, seemed to give separate answers to a “60 Minutes” question in a promo for the show versus the one that aired. He has filed a lawsuit over the incident, saying it amounted to election interference.
On “60 Minutes,” Mr. Clooney commented about the lawsuit and a separate settlement in which ABC News donated money to Mr. Trump’s presidential foundation and museum.
“Governments don’t like the freedom of the press. They never have,” Mr Clooney said. “And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side you’re on. They don’t like the press.”
Mr. Clooney played a surprise role in the 2024 presidential campaign when he wrote a New York Times op-ed that said he liked Mr. Biden but the Democrats needed a new nominee. He said Democrats weren’t being honest about the incumbent’s cognitive abilities as he reached an advanced age.
Mr. Trump was not impressed by the interview, saying “his press agent should be making a fortune!!!”
The president criticized Mr. Clooney as part of overnight posts that also targeted Times reporters, a federal judge who tried to block deportation flights and an artist who made a portrait of him for the Colorado state capitol.
“I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one, but many people from Colorado have called and written to complain,” Mr. Trump wrote.
