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Clooney targets Trump era
Actor George Clooney said the United States is being led by “the least capable people,” describing the Trump administration as a “kakistocracy” during the Venice Film Festival’s opening day.
“I really believe that we are in an unfortunate moment”
Clooney told reporters he felt “ashamed” of the actions of the US government, and said he believed the country was in an “unfortunate” moment that did not “do it full justice.”
He said the midterm elections in November could provide “checks and balances,” and added that “in 2028, if we’re lucky, there will be some restoration of normality.”
Clooney also recalled living through 1968 in the United States, when “every city in the country was on fire,” and when the country lost Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy in the same year.
Venice controversy and quotes
At the 83rd Venice Film Festival, Clooney used his appearance to deliver criticisms of the U.S. government, saying it is run by “the least capable people.”
In a press conference that touched on his career, artificial intelligence, climate change and the state of the filmmaking industry, Clooney said, “I think maybe we have a kakistocracy right now, but we'll get through it.”
The festival’s opening also drew criticism over the limited participation of women in the official competition, with Swissinfo.ch noting that “Among the twenty-one films competing this year for the Golden Lion, only two are directed by women.”
Swissinfo.ch quoted Maggie Gyllenhaal, the festival’s jury president, saying, “I really think it is far harder for women to secure funding for their films.”
Decency, Hegseth post
Clooney linked his criticism of the U.S. government to what he described as a normalization of cruelty in public discourse, referring to a social media post by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth involving women serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“The idea that cruelty is at the heart of and part of the world's fun... is truly absurd”
He said, “The idea that cruelty is at the heart of and part of the world's fun... is truly absurd,” and described the situation as a “kakistocracy.”
Clooney also cited the same episode as evidence of a loss of decency, asking, “Where has the sense of decency gone?” and adding, “We will overcome this too and emerge better.”
In the coverage of Clooney’s remarks, Al Jazeera framed his comments as defining the administration as “a government run by the ‘least qualified’ people,” tying the remarks to the Venice appearance where he is being honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.