George Clooney Endorses Kamala Harris For President

George Clooney has endorsed Kamala Harris’ presidential bid, while offering praise to President Joe Biden for “saving democracy once again.”

In a statement, Clooney said, “President Biden has shown what true leadership is. He’s saving democracy once again. We’re all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest.”

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Clooney published an op ed earlier this month calling on Biden to drop out of the race, citing the president’s debate performance as well as an appearance at a fundraiser in Los Angeles on June 15. Clooney was one of the co-hosts of the event.

Clooney wrote, “It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big f—ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.” His op ed signaled an overall drop in support from the entertainment community for the president continuing his campaign.

Clooney’s endorsement is the latest sign that Hollywood donors and supporters are rallying behind Harris. On Monday, Harris had secured enough pledged delegates to win the Democratic nomination, but that won’t be official until there is a roll call. It’s unclear when that process will take place — whether it will be virtual or at the Democratic National Convention, which is taking place in Chicago from Aug. 19-22.

While some Democratic stalwarts, like James Carville, had proposed a kind of mini-primary should Biden dropped out, Harris quickly emerged as the likely nominee in the hours on Sunday after the president announced that he was exiting the race. Potential rivals like Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania, and Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, endorsed her.

Democrats have tapped Clooney in recent cycles not only to drive up interest in fundraising events among top-dollar donors, but to amass grassroots contributions. In the weeks before the June 15 event, Clooney and Julia Roberts lent their names to a Biden-Harris contest which entrants could win tickets to the star-filled gathering, as well as meet the actors. The event ended up drawing more than $30 million, setting a record for a single evening of Democratic fundraiser.

CNN first reported on Clooney’s statement.

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