Another well-known figure entangled in the deception was Hollywood actor George Clooney. Although he now appears deeply affected, Clooney remained silent when it counted, despite being aware of the situation.
In Tapper and Alex Thompson’s recent book “Original Sin,” they reveal that the then-president was so impaired that he failed to recognize his long-time friend and dedicated supporter while attending a glamorous fundraiser hosted by Clooney. One can only imagine the blow to Clooney’s self-esteem.
Poor George:
The book asserts that a noticeably aging Joe Biden did not recognize George Clooney during a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles for his 2024 campaign, which reportedly left the Hollywood actor “profoundly disturbed.”
The troubling incident, which unfolded at a star-studded fundraiser in June 2024 that was co-hosted by Clooney, was laid bare in the forthcoming book “Original Sin” by Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper about the attempt to cover up Biden’s decline while in office.
(Warning—profanity):
“Cheap fake” update: New details from the Hollywood fundraiser when Biden froze up and had to be led off stage.
“It was like watching someone who was not alive.”
“It was clear that the president had not recognized Clooney.” pic.twitter.com/GMwculo2lR
— Andrew Stiles (@AndrewStilesUSA) May 13, 2025
Not being recognized shook Clooney up something good—the horror!
“It was obvious to many standing there that the president did not know who George Clooney was,” the authors wrote, according to an excerpt obtained by The Post.
“Clooney was shaken to his core. The president hadn’t recognized him. A man he had known for years.”
I don’t mean to make light of George Clooney’s deep wisdom and world-historic significance, but there is something hilarious that he only became convinced Biden was out of it because Biden didn’t recognize him. I knew he was out of it in 2023 and that was from watching him on TV.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) May 13, 2025
Clooney was so traumatized that he felt sick to his stomach. But did he come out immediately following the event—which raised $28 million for the faltering commander-in-chief—and make a statement? No, it was only after the Disastrous Debate in June 2024—when it was pretty clear Ole Joe was done for—that he suddenly found a conscience and penned a New York Times op-ed in July saying the president should abandon his reelection campaign.
“Clooney felt a knot form in his stomach as the president approached him,” the authors wrote of the embarrassing encounter.
When Biden reached Clooney, the aide gently reminded the president of the star’s name — despite the pair having known each other personally for two decades.
“’You know George,’ the assisting aide told the president,” according to the excerpt.
“’Yeah, yeah,’ the president said to one of the most recognizable men in the world and host of this lucrative fundraiser. ‘Thank you for being here.’”
After the aide clarified that it was “George Clooney” in front of him, the prez responded: “Oh, yeah … Hi, George!”
