American actor George Clooney, a staunch Democrat who is heavily involved in fundraising for the party, called on President Joe Biden on Wednesday to withdraw from the November presidential race, amid doubts about his health.
“The Democratic Tenors […]senators, members of the House of Representatives and other candidates who are at risk of losing in November must call on this president to step down voluntarily,” the actor wrote in an op-ed published by the New York Times and titled “I like Joe Biden. But we need another candidate.”
“We will not win in November with this president,” he said.
Also a director and producer, George Clooney recalled his long-standing involvement in the campaigns led by Democratic candidates. “Last month, I co-hosted the largest fundraiser ever organized for a Democratic candidate,” he added.
The gala, attended by Hollywood stars and donors and attended by former President Barack Obama, raised $28 million, a record for the party.
Joe Biden’s campaign team had then highlighted the “enthusiasm” of the influential entertainment industry. California, and its progressive bastion Hollywood, is a major contributor to the party’s campaigns, since it also includes Silicon Valley.
The actor says he saw a weakened Joe Biden at this gala, far from the candidate he was in 2020.
“I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as a president. I consider him a friend and I believe in him. I believe in his character, his morals. Over the last four years, he’s won a lot of the battles that he’s had to face,” George Clooney acknowledged.
“But the only battle he can’t win is the one against time,” the actor wrote, referring to the growing doubts about the 81-year-old president’s cognitive abilities since his disastrous debate with Donald Trump in late June.
“Joe Biden is a hero, he saved democracy in 2020. We need him to save it again in 2024,” the actor concluded.