George Clooney defends 2024 Biden dropout op-ed amid Hunter Biden feud

Actor George Clooney has defended his 2024 New York Times op-ed urging President Joe Biden to step down from the presidential race, despite harsh criticism from Biden's son, Hunter Biden. Clooney called Hunter's accusations "outright lies" and dismissed engaging in a public feud, emphasizing that looking backwards is unhelpful for Hunter and the Democratic party. Clooney reiterated his belief that Biden's declining health warranted a new nominee and expressed regret over bypassing a primary which led to Kamala Harris's nomination, calling it a "mistake" due to the challenges she faced running against her own record. Hunter Biden had responded with a profanity-laced tirade accusing Clooney of undermining his father and fabricating stories, but Clooney chose to wish him well in his recovery rather than escalate the conflict. Clooney, a longtime Democratic fundraiser, stood by his assessment of Biden's mental decline following his debate with then-President Donald Trump and highlighted the need to prioritize truth over political loyalty. The dispute reflects ongoing tensions within the Democratic party as it grapples with leadership and electoral strategy following Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race.