George Clooney Slams Pete Hegseth Over Canadian Cadet Post; Voices Support For Mark Ruffalo & Muses On Paramount-Warner Bros Merger – Venice
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George Clooney used a press conference ahead of receiving the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival to sharpen his criticism of the Trump administration, singling out US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for a social media post mocking women in Canada's military cadet programme. He described the post as symptomatic of "cruelty" at the heart of the current administration and said he was "ashamed" of it, while also voicing support for actor Mark Ruffalo, who has faced accusations of antisemitism over his criticism of the Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery merger, saying he backs free speech "even when I completely disagree with it."
Clooney struck a broadly optimistic note on America's political trajectory, comparing the current turmoil to the unrest of 1968 and describing the country as being in a state of "kakistocracy" – rule by the least qualified. He pointed to November's US midterm elections as a potential check on the administration, with hopes for a "restoration into some normalcy" by 2028. He also confirmed he has stepped back from directing, despite nine feature and two TV credits including Good Night, and Good Luck and The Boys in the Boat, in order to spend time with his nine-year-old twins, saying acting offers more flexibility to travel between commitments than the year-long demands of directing.
- Clooney criticised Hegseth's Canadian cadet post as "cruel" at Venice
- Backed Mark Ruffalo's free speech amid antisemitism accusations
- Cited midterms and "kakistocracy" while backing away from directing
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George Clooney was in Venice this week to collect the Golden Lion, the festival's award for lifetime achievement, and used the surrounding press events to speak openly about American politics. He is a long-time critic of Donald Trump and his administration, and has previously made headlines for urging Joe Biden to step aside during the 2024 presidential race.
Pete Hegseth is the US Secretary of War (formerly known as the Secretary of Defense) under Trump, a role that has made him a lightning rod in disputes over the administration's tone and conduct. Mark Ruffalo is a fellow actor who has drawn criticism for speaking out against the planned merger of Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery, one of the biggest proposed consolidations in the US entertainment industry, which has raised questions about media ownership and editorial independence.
Clooney's remarks fit into a broader pattern of Hollywood figures weighing in on the Trump administration and its officials at high-profile international events, where such comments tend to draw wide media attention.
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The case for
Those sympathetic to Clooney's remarks would argue that public figures with a large platform have a responsibility to call out rhetoric they view as demeaning, particularly when directed at servicewomen, and that doing so at an international event lends weight to concerns many Americans share. They would note his defence of Mark Ruffalo's right to criticise the Paramount-Warner Bros merger, even while disagreeing with him, as evidence of a principled, consistent stance on free expression rather than partisan point-scoring. His comparison to 1968 and hope for correction via the midterms, they might add, reflects faith in democratic institutions rather than despair.
The case against
Others would contend that a wealthy actor addressing foreign press about domestic US politics risks appearing detached from ordinary Americans' daily concerns and lends itself to accusations of Hollywood moralising from a safe distance. They might argue that terms such as "kakistocracy" and framing a single social media post as symptomatic of administration-wide "cruelty" are loaded characterisations that pre-judge motive and shut down more measured debate about policy disagreements. Sceptics could also suggest that celebrities wading into contested political rows, including the Ruffalo antisemitism dispute, blurs the line between entertainment and advocacy and can alienate audiences who prefer public figures stay out of partisan battles.
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