Actor George Clooney reportedly erupted in anger at an MSNBC producer after Morning Joe host Mika Brzezinski suggested that former President Barack Obama may have influenced Clooney’s high-profile op-ed calling on Joe Biden to exit the 2024 presidential race.
The incident was revealed in journalist Chris Whipple’s upcoming book, Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History.
According to the account, Clooney directly contacted a Morning Joe producer in a profanity-laced phone call following the on-air commentary made by Brzezinski.
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The controversy centers around a July 2024 New York Times op-ed written by Clooney in which he publicly urged then-President Joe Biden to step aside and allow a new Democrat candidate to emerge.
The op-ed quickly drew national attention and became a turning point in the 2024 race, sparking a wave of pressure from high-level Democrat donors who threatened to halt campaign contributions unless Biden withdrew.
On the Morning Joe segment that aired shortly after the op-ed’s publication, Brzezinski speculated about former President Obama’s possible involvement in influencing Clooney’s message. “This wasn’t George Clooney,” Brzezinski said on-air.
“I think that Barack Obama has a lot of influence.”
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Those comments reportedly led to Clooney making a heated call to the MSNBC production team.
“How the f**k could you let her link me with Barack Obama saying he made me write the op-ed?” Clooney allegedly yelled, according to Whipple’s reporting.
Oh the Irony that George Clooney attacks the press when they're not carrying his water while celebrating journalism in his latest theatrical debut "Good Night, and Good Luck" pic.twitter.com/otV2vAA1xk
— Tara Palmeri (@tarapalmeri) April 4, 2025
The op-ed, which coincided with growing concerns about Biden’s electability and polling performance, was widely seen as a strategic move that contributed to Biden’s eventual exit from the race.
After facing sustained pressure from within his party, Biden formally announced in late summer that he would not seek re-election, opening the door to a new Democratic primary contest.
While Clooney has long been associated with Democrat fundraising efforts and previously supported Biden, his public call for the president to step down marked a sharp turn in his political engagement during the 2024 cycle.
Brzezinski’s commentary on Clooney’s relationship with Obama reflected broader speculation within political circles at the time, with several pundits and strategists suggesting the former president still wielded influence behind the scenes.
Neither Obama nor Clooney publicly confirmed or denied any collaboration on the op-ed.
The incident adds to what many viewed as an unusually turbulent primary season for Democrats, marked by internal divisions, high-profile donor revolts, and mounting criticism over party leadership.
Chris Whipple’s book, scheduled for release later this month, covers several behind-the-scenes moments from the 2024 election, including the fallout from Clooney’s op-ed and the reaction within Democratic power circles.
Clooney has not publicly commented on the report, and MSNBC has not issued a statement regarding the producer’s interaction with the actor.
The 2024 campaign cycle ended with President Donald Trump defeating the eventual Democrat nominee in November, securing a second non-consecutive term in the White House.
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if the shoe fits George, where it. and me thinks ye protests too much…hmmm.
One slimebag telling another slimebag,what to do sounds about right.
the decision to remove Biden was made after his debate with Trump. Clooney’s op ed had zero to do with it
Lol. You were a tool and a patsy George. It’s your own damn fault though for believing the lies the Democrats told you. They don’t give a shit about you or anybody else. Democrats only care about themselves, which is why they were happy to have you do their dirty work.
Clooney, you’re a lousy Actor. you will not go down in history with Brando, Burton, Grant and Gable. Be a man and fess up, and that goes for your ahole buddy Barry.