George Clooney says Trump was a 'big goofball' before entering politics
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Hollywood star George Clooney has spoken openly about his views on Donald Trump, calling the US president a “big goofball” and saying they once shared a friendly relationship. In comments to Variety, Clooney said fame changed Trump after he entered politics.
He also criticized major TV networks CBS and ABC for settling defamation lawsuits filed by Trump.
George Clooney says he knew Trump 'very well'
Clooney told Variety that he once knew Trump well and often crossed paths with him.
"I knew him very well. He used to call me a lot, and he tried to help me get into a hospital once to see a back surgeon. I’d see him out at clubs and at restaurants." The 'Jay Kelly' star said, "He’s a big goofball. Well, he was That all changed."
Even with Clooney’s criticism, Trump has continued to receive support from some major Hollywood figures during his second term. Musician Kid Rock praised the president during a January appearance on Fox & Friends Weekend, saying, "It feels like the rebirth of our nation. There's just this overwhelming sense … you've heard it a million times, that America's back."
He also suggested that more celebrities now feel comfortable publicly supporting Trump after holding back for years, joking that they are finally ready to join in.
Before beginning his second term, Trump named several well-known actors as special envoys to Hollywood, with a focus on boosting business in the industry.
In a post on Truth Social, he announced Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as special ambassadors, saying, "They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK – BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!"
He concluded by saying, "These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!"
George Clooney calls out CBS and ABC
George Clooney criticized CBS and ABC for settling defamation lawsuits filed by President Donald Trump instead of fighting them in court. He said those choices helped shape the current state of the country.
Speaking to Variety, Clooney, whose father Nick Clooney worked for years as a broadcast journalist, said the networks should have firmly rejected the lawsuits.
Clooney made these comments while reflecting on his recent role as legendary CBS journalist Edward R Murrow in a stage version of 'Good Night, and Good Luck'.
At the same time, CBS News was finalizing its settlement with Trump as its parent company, Paramount, sought government approval for its sale to Skydance. ABC News also settled a separate defamation case with Trump in 2024. Clooney said, "If CBS and ABC had challenged those lawsuits and said, ‘Go f**k yourself,' we wouldn’t be where we are in the country. That's simply the truth."
He also said he has grown more concerned about CBS News since changes began under its new leadership. Paramount is now controlled by David Ellison, who has started reshaping the network’s editorial approach.
Clooney shared, "Bari Weiss is dismantling CBS News as we speak. I’m worried about how we inform ourselves and how we’re going to discern reality without a functioning press." He warned that the public could struggle to understand the truth without strong, independent journalism.
Variety reporter Brent Lang noted that Clooney became especially passionate when talking about people he believes failed to hold powerful leaders accountable after Trump returned to office, though he did not name anyone.
The interview took place in New York City and was published shortly after Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, officially became French citizens following years of living in France.
