President Donald Trump and actor George Clooney exchanged sharp public barbs over the New Year, turning a personal dispute over citizenship into a broader political clash tied to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections and the role of celebrity activism in national politics. The exchange unfolded as Trump criticized Clooney's newly confirmed French citizenship, prompting a pointed response from the actor that invoked the president's own campaign slogan and pointed toward November's elections.
The dispute surfaced as Trump hosted New Year's events at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, while Clooney issued a statement through The Hollywood Reporter. The episode drew attention not only because of the personalities involved, but also because it intersected with debates over immigration, political influence and the growing visibility of celebrities in partisan discourse.
Trump first addressed the issue in a Truth Social post reacting to reports that George Clooney, his wife Amal Clooney and their children had secured French citizenship earlier in December. "Good News! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration," Trump wrote.
He continued by criticizing Clooney's career and political engagement, adding, "Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies." The remarks revived a long-running feud that dates back to Trump's first term and Clooney's vocal opposition to his presidency.
Clooney responded the following day with a brief but pointed statement that repurposed Trump's signature slogan. "I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again. We'll start in November," Clooney said. The comment was widely interpreted as a reference to the upcoming midterm elections, in which Democrats are seeking to regain control of the House and potentially the Senate.
The actor's statement avoided direct personal counterattacks, instead framing the exchange around electoral accountability. Clooney has been an active donor and advocate for Democratic candidates, and his comment underscored his view that political change should come through the ballot box.
Clooney has previously said that his family's decision to obtain French citizenship was driven by privacy concerns rather than political ideology. He has cited France's stricter protections against intrusive media coverage as a key reason for raising his children there, a stance that aligns with his long-standing criticism of tabloid culture.
The clash also reflects a deeper history between the two men. Clooney has acknowledged that he once knew Trump socially before Trump entered politics, but their relationship deteriorated as Clooney became more outspoken about democratic norms and media independence. He has criticized political pressure on news organizations and argued that weakened press protections undermine accountability.
