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President Donald Trump referred to actor George Clooney as a "second-rate movie star" following his 60 Minutes interview Sunday (March 23) night, which he also dismissed as a "total puff piece."
“Why would the now highly-discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total ‘puff piece’ on George Clooney, a second-rate movie ‘star’ and failed political pundit,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
Clooney, 63, a two-time Academy Award winner, appeared on the CBS News program to promote his Broadway debut portraying renowned journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night and Good Luck. The actor discussed his decision to cease his support of former President Joe Biden prior to the latter's announcement to end his re-election campaign, as well as criticism of Trump and his current administration, comparing the play to the state of the U.S., referencing Trump's $16 million settlement with ABC News and ongoing $20 billion lawsuit with CBS.
“When the other three estates fail, when the judiciary and the executive and the legislative branches fail us, the fourth estate has to succeed,” Clooney said. “ABC has just settled a lawsuit with the Trump administration. And CBS News is in the process … We’re seeing this idea of using government to scare or fine or use corporations — to make journalists smaller.”
“Governments don’t like the freedom of the press. They never have. And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side you’re on. They don’t like the press,” he added.
Trump took aim at Clooney and others supporting Biden prior to a disastrous debate performance last summer, as well as accusations that 60 Minutes inserted fake answers for Vice President Kamala Harris after she took over as the Democratic nominee, in his Truth Social post.
“He fought hard for Sleepy Joe’s election, and then, right after the Debate, dumped him like a dog. Later, I assume under orders from the Obama camp, pushed all out for ‘Kamala,’ only to soon realize that this was not going to work out too well," Trump wrote.
“60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted Fake answers into her disastrous interview, aired just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast history…And now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!!”