George Clooney responded after Donald Trump blasted his move to France and mocked his film career.
The 64-year-old Oscar winner and his wife, Amal Clooney, recently became French citizens after years at their 425-acre Provence wine estate, Domaine du Canadel.
Trump ripped the couple on Wednesday on Truth Social, calling them “two of the worst political prognosticators of all time” and deriding Clooney’s movies as “totally mediocre.” The president ended his post with his “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Clooney responded Thursday in the Hollywood Reporter, saying, “I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again. We’ll start in November.”
Why It Matters
George Clooney has long positioned himself as a prominent liberal voice in Hollywood, frequently supporting Democratic candidates and causes through both fundraising and public commentary. His relationship with Donald Trump, once cordial during the pre-political days when they crossed paths in social settings, soured as Trump rose to political prominence.
Clooney has also criticized Democratic leadership, most notably when he distanced himself from then-President Joe Biden after a lackluster debate performance in 2024.
What To Know
The exchange comes amid heightened scrutiny of France’s decision to grant the Clooneys citizenship, especially given new immigration laws that require most applicants to pass French-language and civic knowledge tests.
French junior interior minister Marie-Pierre Vedrenne voiced criticism over what she called a “double standard,” noting Clooney’s limited proficiency in French. “We need to be careful about the message we’re sending,” she said in an interview with France Info radio.
Still, the French government defended the move, citing a provision in its civil code allowing citizenship by naturalization for individuals contributing to France’s international reputation. The foreign ministry stated that the Clooneys “contribute through their distinguished service to France’s international influence and cultural prestige,” highlighting George Clooney’s contributions to film and Amal Clooney’s legal work with international organizations based in France.
The back-and-forth comes as Clooney has grown increasingly critical of U.S. media and political dynamics. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Clooney recalled his previous encounters with Trump before the real estate mogul entered politics.
“He used to call me a lot, and he tried to help me get into a hospital once to see a back surgeon,” Clooney said. “He’s a big goofball. Well, he was. That all changed.”
Clooney and his family have lived on their estate in southern France since 2021, when they purchased the property near Brignoles in Provence. The farm includes 100 acres of vineyards, 1,200 olive trees, and a vegetable garden. French media have reported that the Clooneys bought the home for about $10 million.
The Oscar winner cited France’s privacy laws as a key factor in relocating his family. “I love the French culture, your language, even if I’m still bad at it after 400 days of courses,” he told RTL radio. His wife, Amal, 47, who is British and Lebanese, is fluent in French and will continue her legal and academic work across Europe.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social: “Good News! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration, much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden.
“Remember when Clooney, after the now infamous debate, dumped Joe during a fundraiser, only to go onto the side of another stellar candidate, Jamala(K!), who is now fighting it out with the worst governor in the Country, including Tim Waltz [sic], Gavin Newscum, for who is going to lead the Democrats to their future defeat. Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies. He wasn’t a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Clooney said in an interview with Esquire magazine in October: “A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid I hated the whole idea of it. But now, for them, it’s like—they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life. I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. In France, they kind of don’t give a shit about fame. I don’t want them walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”
What Happens Next
The French foreign ministry said the passport allocation for the Clooneys “meets the conditions set by law” for naturalization. Some 48,800 people acquired French nationality by decree in 2024, according to interior ministry figures.
Update 1/1/26, 9:45 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.