George Clooney rages at MSNBC producer over Obama op-ed link

In July 2024, George Clooney reportedly confronted an MSNBC producer on the phone in response to comments made during a segment of the show "Morning Joe." Host Mika Brzezinski suggested that former President Barack Obama may have influenced Clooney to write a controversial op-ed for the New York Times, in which he called for President Joe Biden to step down and allow another Democrat to run against Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Clooney was infuriated by this suggestion, feeling it undermined his own voice and autonomy as an artist and political ally to the Democratic party. The connection between Clooney’s op-ed and Obama was further fueled by claims from other reports indicating that Clooney may have notified Obama of his op-ed prior to its publication. However, sources indicated that Obama did not express any objections to Clooney's statements. This line of reasoning angered Clooney even more, leading him to demand the MSNBC producer defend him against Brzezinski's comments. The altercation escalated into a profanity-laden exchange that lasted for hours, with Clooney expressing his frustration with the situation and his disappointment in the producer’s lack of support. During the heated conversation, Clooney berated the producer, stating, "How the f*** could you let her link me with Barack Obama, saying he made me write the op-ed?" The producer, for his part, responded bluntly, emphasizing that the situation was a live morning talk show and not a scripted production. This confrontation highlights the complexities of public opinion in political discussions, especially when high-profile figures like Clooney are involved. Clooney has been a long-time supporter of the Democratic party, endorsing candidates such as Obama and Hillary Clinton, which adds a layer of intrigue to his public sentiment regarding Biden as the election approached. Clooney’s criticism of Biden did not come out of the blue but seemed to stem from his observations about Biden's handling of certain issues. Following the backlash, Clooney remained silent about the incident until a recent interview, where he reiterated his concerns about Biden's approach as inadequate. Such tensions not only emphasize the fraught relationship between some Democratic supporters and the party leadership but also underscore how celebrity influences can shape political discourse. The fallout from this incident demonstrates how quickly allegiances can shift in the political realm, especially as different factions within the party react to the growing pressure of the 2024 elections.