George Clooney opened up about his past friendship with President Donald Trump, revealing that the two were once close before politics changed their relationship.
The 64-year-old actor told Variety that Trump used to call him frequently and even tried to help him get into a hospital to see a back surgeon. Clooney said he would see Trump at clubs and restaurants during their years of friendship.
“He’s a big goofball,” Clooney said of Trump. “Well, he was. That all changed.”
According to Clooney, the change in their relationship came when Trump entered politics in 2016. The actor, known for his liberal political views, has since become one of Hollywood’s most vocal critics of the president.
The tension between the two escalated after Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, were granted French citizenship in December 2025 along with their children. Trump responded to the news on his Truth Social platform, calling Clooney’s movies mediocre and claiming the actor gained more attention for politics than for his film career.
Clooney fired back in January 2026, responding with a statement that used Trump’s own campaign slogan against him. “I totally agree with the current president,” he said. “We have to make America great again. We’ll start in November.”
The exchange marked the latest chapter in their deteriorating relationship, which has been shaped largely by their opposing political views. Clooney has been an active voice in Democratic politics, including publishing a New York Times op-ed in 2024 calling for then-President Joe Biden not to seek reelection ahead of the general election.
Clooney later defended his decision to write the op-ed during an interview in June 2025, describing it as a civic duty. The actor emphasized the importance of standing up for what one believes in, even when it means criticizing members of one’s own political party.
Beyond his comments about Trump personally, Clooney also criticized major media organizations for what he views as capitulating to the president. He took aim at CBS News and ABC News for settling lawsuits that Trump had filed against them.
ABC News agreed to a $15 million settlement with Trump. The actor argued that if the networks had challenged the lawsuits instead of settling, the country would be in a different position today.
Clooney also expressed concern about changes at CBS News following the merger with Paramount and the appointment of Bari Weiss as Editor-in-Chief. The actor said Weiss is dismantling CBS News and voiced worries about how Americans will be able to inform themselves without a functioning press.
The actor’s criticism of Trump comes as Hollywood has seen a mix of responses to the president’s return to office. While Clooney remains a prominent critic, other celebrities have shown support for Trump during his second term. The president appointed three celebrity Hollywood envoys in January 2026, tapping Jon Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone to serve as special ambassadors for the purpose of promoting business in the entertainment industry.
Trump announced the appointments on Truth Social, stating that the three actors would serve as his eyes and ears in Hollywood. The president said the appointees would help bring business back to the American film industry, which he claimed had lost opportunities to foreign countries over the previous four years.
Other celebrities have also publicly expressed support for Trump. Country star Carrie Underwood and musician Kid Rock are among those who have aligned with the administration.
The relationship between Hollywood and Trump has long been complicated, with the entertainment industry traditionally leaning Democratic while some prominent figures have aligned themselves with Republican causes. Trump’s own background in entertainment gave him connections throughout the industry before his political career began.
Clooney’s recollections of his friendship with Trump provide a window into the president’s life before politics. The actor’s description of Trump as someone who was helpful and social, regularly calling friends and offering assistance, contrasts sharply with the political figure who has become known for combative relationships with critics.
The transformation Clooney describes reflects a broader shift that many who knew Trump before his political career have observed. The businessman and reality television star’s entry into politics in 2016 marked a turning point not just in his public image but in many of his personal relationships, particularly with those in the entertainment industry who hold different political views.
As Trump continues his second term in office and Clooney settles into his new status as a French citizen, their public exchanges highlight the deep political divisions that have come to characterize American public life. The actor’s use of Trump’s own campaign slogan in his January 2026 response suggests that the tension between the two is likely to continue.
For Clooney, who has balanced a successful acting career with political advocacy throughout his time in the public eye, the conflict with Trump represents a personal dimension to the broader political battles playing out across the country. The actor has made clear through his public statements that he plans to remain engaged in political issues, despite the personal costs that such involvement may bring.
