Clooney: America Under «Kakistocracy»

George Clooney delivered a blistering assessment of America under Donald Trump during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival. Asked about the country’s political climate, the actor and longtime Democratic activist reached for an unusually harsh term to describe the current administration, arguing that the United States may presently be experiencing what is known as a «kakistocracy».

Clooney explained exactly what he meant with his remarkable characterization. «There’s a great word: kakistocracy, which is a country run by the least qualified people. I think maybe we have a kakistocracy right now, but we’ll get through it.» The term generally describes a system governed by the worst or least qualified individuals.

Despite delivering a severe rebuke of those currently governing Washington, Clooney stopped short of presenting America’s situation as irreversible. His declaration that «we’ll get through it» reflected his continued confidence in the country’s democratic institutions. Clooney pointed toward elections and America’s system of checks and balances as mechanisms capable of eventually correcting political excesses.

Part of Clooney’s criticism centered on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a social-media controversy involving Canadian cadets. Hegseth shared an image associated with the Vernon Cadet Training Centre in British Columbia showing a female cadet and an instructor receiving an award, accompanying the screenshot with the parenthetical remark «(this is real)».

The post generated widespread criticism and accusations that a senior American defense official was mocking or body-shaming young participants associated with an allied nation’s cadet program. Clooney viewed the episode as something larger than an inflammatory social-media post, pointing to it as an example of what he considers a disturbing normalization of humiliation and cruelty within contemporary politics.

For Clooney, the controversy raised questions about the standards expected from officials occupying some of America’s most powerful positions. His criticism extended beyond policy disagreements with the Trump administration to the behavior of those representing the United States. He expressed dismay over a political environment in which cruelty and deliberate unkindness can increasingly become public entertainment.

Clooney’s willingness to publicly confront political leaders has not been limited to Republicans. In July 2024, he stunned Democrats by calling for Joe Biden to abandon his reelection campaign following his troubled debate performance against Trump. The intervention was particularly significant because Clooney had been among Biden’s most prominent celebrity supporters and Democratic Party fundraisers.

Only weeks before his dramatic break with Biden, Clooney helped host a massive Los Angeles fundraiser that generated roughly $30 million for the campaign. He subsequently published the New York Times essay «I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee,» arguing Democrats needed to confront concerns surrounding Biden’s age, stamina and electoral prospects.

Clooney’s intervention intensified pressure surrounding Biden’s candidacy and also triggered criticism from Hunter Biden. Clooney later declined to escalate their personal disagreement, while maintaining that he could dispute some claims made about him. He continued defending his decision after the election, although he later characterized Democrats’ failure to hold a competitive process before Kamala Harris became nominee as a «mistake».

Trump has repeatedly responded to Clooney’s political involvement with personal attacks. He has branded the actor a «failed political pundit», a «very disloyal backstabber» and a «third-rate movie actor». Trump later declared: «Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies,» continuing their increasingly bitter public feud.

Their hostility contrasts sharply with their relationship before Trump entered presidential politics. Clooney has recalled Trump personally calling him and attempting to help him find a surgeon for back problems. He described the Trump he once knew as «a big goofball», adding, «Well, he was. That all changed.» Now, Clooney’s «kakistocracy» declaration marks another escalation.