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Hollywood heartthrob MONSIEUR 💓
George Clooney fires back at Trump in New Year's Day statement
Daniel Hampton
January 1, 2026
RAW STORY
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Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney shot back at President Donald Trump after the MAGA leader uncorked a wild attack on Clooney and trashed his movies over the actor's decision to exit the U.S. for French citizenship.
The 64-year-old Oscar winner, his wife, Amal Clooney, and their two kids officially became French citizens this month after years living at their swanky Provence estate. And the news left Trump fuming.
The president unleashed a scathing attack on Truth Social, slamming the couple as "two of the worst political prognosticators of all time."
“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, much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden,” Trump wrote on New Year’s Eve. “Remember when Clooney, after the now infamous debate, dumped Joe during a fundraiser, only to go onto the side of another stellar candidate, Jamala(K!), who is now fighting it out with the worst governor in the Country, including Tim Waltz, Gavin Newscum, for who is going to lead the Democrats to their future defeat. Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies. He wasn’t a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics.”
Trump's screed comes after George Clooney sounded off on Trump's MAGA-fied America in a cover story for Variety Magazine published on Tuesday. That included expressing concern that CBS News' new MAGA-friendly boss, Bari Weiss is "dismantling" the station and that Americans won't be able to "discern reality without a functioning press."
Clooney clapped back at Trump to the Hollywood Reporter, firing back, "I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again. We’ll start in November."
For her part, Weiss challenged Clooney to learn more about their work.
“Bonjour, Mr. Clooney!” Weiss responded. “Big fan of your work. It sounds like you’d like to learn more about ours. This is an open invitation to visit the CBS Broadcast Center, where I’m spending the holidays working to relaunch the Evening News with my colleagues. Tune in January 5.”
Trump joins criticism over France granting citizenship to George Clooney
Paris (AFP) – US President Donald Trump piled on criticism Wednesday of a decision to grant Hollywood superstar George Clooney French passports after a junior government official in Paris labelled the move a "double standard".
Issued on: 01/01/2026 - RFI
An official decree seen by AFP on Monday showed that 64-year-old Oscar winner Clooney, his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney and their two children had become French citizens.
Trump, whose administration has backed anti-immigration parties in Europe, said that Paris was welcome to the "Ocean's Eleven" star, a long-term Democratic supporter, fundraiser and a vocal critic of the president.
"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 said on his Truth Social network.
The news of Clooney and his family becoming French comes ahead of language requirements for citizenship being toughened for everyone else under new immigration rules from January 1.
A junior member of President Emmanuel Macron's government had also criticised the decision to award passports despite Clooney speaking poor French.
'Meets the conditions'
Clooney bought the Domaine du Canadel, a former wine estate, near the Provence town of Brignoles, in 2021. He said it is where his family is "happiest".
Nunez, the interior minister, said he was "very happy" with the actor and his family becoming French, saying the country was lucky to have them.
The French foreign ministry said the passport allocation for the Clooneys "meets the conditions set by law" for naturalisation.
The family "followed a rigorous procedure including security investigations, regulatory naturalisation interviews at the prefecture, and the payment of tax stamps," the ministry added.
It highlighted the Clooneys had a French home and they "contribute through their distinguished service to France's international influence and cultural prestige" through the actor's role in the film industry.
This "can only contribute to maintaining and promoting France's position in this essential economic sector", it said.
Amal Clooney is "a renowned lawyer" who "regularly collaborates with academic institutions and international organisations based in France", the ministry added.
Around 48,800 people acquired French nationality by decree in 2024, according to interior ministry figures.
Clooney is not alone in wanting a French passport.
Hollywood director Jim Jarmusch announced on Friday that he was also applying, telling French radio that he wanted "a place to where I can escape the United States".
Paris (AFP) – US President Donald Trump piled on criticism Wednesday of a decision to grant Hollywood superstar George Clooney French passports after a junior government official in Paris labelled the move a "double standard".
Issued on: 01/01/2026 - RFI
George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney attend the gala screening of the film Jay Kelly at the Royal Festival Hall, during the London Film Festival organised by the British Film Institute, on 10 October 2025. AFP - HENRY NICHOLLS
An official decree seen by AFP on Monday showed that 64-year-old Oscar winner Clooney, his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney and their two children had become French citizens.
Trump, whose administration has backed anti-immigration parties in Europe, said that Paris was welcome to the "Ocean's Eleven" star, a long-term Democratic supporter, fundraiser and a vocal critic of the president.
"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 said on his Truth Social network.
The news of Clooney and his family becoming French comes ahead of language requirements for citizenship being toughened for everyone else under new immigration rules from January 1.
A junior member of President Emmanuel Macron's government had also criticised the decision to award passports despite Clooney speaking poor French.
Junior minister Marie-Pierre Vedrenne did not approve
© Thibaud MORITZ / AFP/File
"Personally, I understand the feeling of some French people of a double standard," Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior interior minister, told the France Info radio station.
"We need to be careful about the message we're sending."
Her boss, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, and the foreign ministry however defended the decision.
The civil code states that "French nationality may be conferred by naturalisation, upon the proposal of the minister of foreign affairs, to any French-speaking foreigner who applies for it and who contributes through their distinguished service to France's influence and the prosperity of its international economic relations."
But Clooney has admitted that his French remains poor despite hundreds of lessons.
Under the new immigration rules from Thursday, applicants will need a certificate showing they have a level of French that could get them into a French university. They will also have to pass a civic knowledge test.
"Personally, I understand the feeling of some French people of a double standard," Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior interior minister, told the France Info radio station.
"We need to be careful about the message we're sending."
Her boss, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, and the foreign ministry however defended the decision.
The civil code states that "French nationality may be conferred by naturalisation, upon the proposal of the minister of foreign affairs, to any French-speaking foreigner who applies for it and who contributes through their distinguished service to France's influence and the prosperity of its international economic relations."
But Clooney has admitted that his French remains poor despite hundreds of lessons.
Under the new immigration rules from Thursday, applicants will need a certificate showing they have a level of French that could get them into a French university. They will also have to pass a civic knowledge test.
Actor George Clooney, who admits his French is 'bad', and wife Amal Clooney, who is fluent © bertrand GUAY / AFP/File
Clooney has a property in southern France and said he has hailed French privacy laws that keep his family largely protected from international media intrusion.
"I love the French culture, your language, even if I'm still bad at it after 400 days of courses," the actor told RTL radio – in English – in December.
His wife, an international human rights lawyer and dual UK-Lebanese national, speaks fluent French.
Clooney has a property in southern France and said he has hailed French privacy laws that keep his family largely protected from international media intrusion.
"I love the French culture, your language, even if I'm still bad at it after 400 days of courses," the actor told RTL radio – in English – in December.
His wife, an international human rights lawyer and dual UK-Lebanese national, speaks fluent French.
'Meets the conditions'
Clooney bought the Domaine du Canadel, a former wine estate, near the Provence town of Brignoles, in 2021. He said it is where his family is "happiest".
Nunez, the interior minister, said he was "very happy" with the actor and his family becoming French, saying the country was lucky to have them.
The French foreign ministry said the passport allocation for the Clooneys "meets the conditions set by law" for naturalisation.
The family "followed a rigorous procedure including security investigations, regulatory naturalisation interviews at the prefecture, and the payment of tax stamps," the ministry added.
It highlighted the Clooneys had a French home and they "contribute through their distinguished service to France's international influence and cultural prestige" through the actor's role in the film industry.
This "can only contribute to maintaining and promoting France's position in this essential economic sector", it said.
Amal Clooney is "a renowned lawyer" who "regularly collaborates with academic institutions and international organisations based in France", the ministry added.
Around 48,800 people acquired French nationality by decree in 2024, according to interior ministry figures.
Clooney is not alone in wanting a French passport.
Hollywood director Jim Jarmusch announced on Friday that he was also applying, telling French radio that he wanted "a place to where I can escape the United States".
By AFP
January 1, 2026
George Clooney (R) and his wife Amal Clooney have become French citizens, which US President Donald Trump sniped about on social media - Copyright AFP/File I-Hwa Cheng
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Paris was welcome to Hollywood star George Clooney after the actor got French citizenship — and took the opportunity to bash France, too.
Trump, whose administration has backed anti-immigration parties in Europe, said key ally France had a “horrendous” problem with crime and immigration.
An official decree seen by AFP on Monday showed that 64-year-old Oscar winner Clooney, his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney and their two children had become French citizens.
“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 said on his Truth Social network.
In one of a string of posts on New Year’s Eve, Trump added that France’s alleged problems were “much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden,” his Democratic predecessor.
“Oceans Eleven” star Clooney is a long-term Democratic supporter and fundraiser, and a vocal critic of Trump.
In his social media post, Trump recalled the fact that the actor backed Biden during the 2024 US presidential election but then “dumped” him becoming concerned about the Democrat’s age during a fundraising event he hosted.
“Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies. He wasn’t a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics,” Trump said.
Clooney’s newly acquired citizenship has also raised hackles in France.
A junior member of President Emmanuel Macron’s government Wednesday criticized Clooney getting his passport despite speaking poor French, saying the move suggested a “double standard.”
The news comes ahead of language requirements for citizenship being toughened for everyone else under new immigration rules from January 1.
George and Amal Clooney and family become French citizens
Hollywood superstar George Clooney has become French, along with his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney and their two children, an official decree seen by AFP on Monday showed.
Issued on: 29/12/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Hollywood superstar George Clooney has become French, along with his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney and their two children, an official decree seen by AFP on Monday showed.
Issued on: 29/12/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Video by: Solange MOUGIN
US actor George Clooney poses with his wife Amal Clooney on the red carpet during the 2025 BFI London Film Festival on October 10, 2025. © Henry Nicholls, AFP
01:47
Hollywood star George Clooney has become a French citizen along with his wife, Amal Alamuddin Clooney, and their two children, according to an official decree seen by AFP on Monday.
The publication in France's government gazette confirms a plan Clooney alluded to early in December when he hailed French privacy laws that keep his family shielded from paparazzi.
"I love the French culture, your language, even if I'm still bad at it after 400 days of courses," the 64-year-old actor told RTL radio at the time – in English.
"Here, they don't take photos of kids. There aren't any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That's number one for us," he said.
The now-dual US-French citizen has a long attachment to Europe, which pre-dates his 2014 marriage to Amal, a British-Lebanese human rights lawyer who speaks fluent French.
Clooney owns an estate in Italy's picturesque Lake Como region, purchased in 2002, and he and Amal bought a historic manor in England.
They also own a New York apartment and a property in Kentucky, but have reportedly sold homes in Los Angeles and Mexico over the past decade.
'Where we're happiest'
Their property in southern France – a former wine estate called the Domaine du Canadel, near the village of Brignoles – was purchased in 2021.
The glamorous couple are parents to 8-year-old twins.
Clooney told RTL that although the family jet-sets around, their French home "is where we're happiest".
Also a director and producer, Clooney has two Oscars to put on whichever mantlepiece suits: one for best supporting actor in 2006's "Syriana" and as a producer on 2012's "Argo".
He has also raked in millions for celebrity endorsements, including for Nespresso, and got a windfall payout for selling his stake in a tequila brand.
Clooney is not the only Hollywood luminary to want to go French: US director Jim Jarmusch on Friday told France Inter radio that he also plans to apply for French nationality.
"I would like a place that will allow me to escape from the United States," he said, adding that he was also attracted by French culture.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
01:47
Hollywood star George Clooney has become a French citizen along with his wife, Amal Alamuddin Clooney, and their two children, according to an official decree seen by AFP on Monday.
The publication in France's government gazette confirms a plan Clooney alluded to early in December when he hailed French privacy laws that keep his family shielded from paparazzi.
"I love the French culture, your language, even if I'm still bad at it after 400 days of courses," the 64-year-old actor told RTL radio at the time – in English.
"Here, they don't take photos of kids. There aren't any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That's number one for us," he said.
The now-dual US-French citizen has a long attachment to Europe, which pre-dates his 2014 marriage to Amal, a British-Lebanese human rights lawyer who speaks fluent French.
Clooney owns an estate in Italy's picturesque Lake Como region, purchased in 2002, and he and Amal bought a historic manor in England.
They also own a New York apartment and a property in Kentucky, but have reportedly sold homes in Los Angeles and Mexico over the past decade.
'Where we're happiest'
Their property in southern France – a former wine estate called the Domaine du Canadel, near the village of Brignoles – was purchased in 2021.
The glamorous couple are parents to 8-year-old twins.
Clooney told RTL that although the family jet-sets around, their French home "is where we're happiest".
Also a director and producer, Clooney has two Oscars to put on whichever mantlepiece suits: one for best supporting actor in 2006's "Syriana" and as a producer on 2012's "Argo".
He has also raked in millions for celebrity endorsements, including for Nespresso, and got a windfall payout for selling his stake in a tequila brand.
Clooney is not the only Hollywood luminary to want to go French: US director Jim Jarmusch on Friday told France Inter radio that he also plans to apply for French nationality.
"I would like a place that will allow me to escape from the United States," he said, adding that he was also attracted by French culture.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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