Weeks earlier than George Clooney known as on President Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, the seemingly “catatonic” commander-in-chief failed to acknowledge the actor, who he’s recognized for years.
Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new e book, “Original Sin,” pulls again the curtain on the demise of Biden’s reelection efforts and the way his botched marketing campaign paved the best way for Trump to safe his return to the White Home.
“The president appeared severely diminished, as if he’d aged a decade since Clooney last saw him, in December 2022,” reads an excerpt revealed by The New Yorker, referring to when “Biden hobbled out” to fulfill longtime supporter Clooney forward of a mid-June fundraiser he was internet hosting.
Based on the authors, one “Hollywood VIP” in attendance described Biden’s look as “startling” — “like watching someone who was not alive.”
As Biden provided the identical thanks to every visitor, his aide reminded him that he and Clooney had a private historical past, the e book claims. And although he tried to play it off, it was “clear that the president had not recognized Clooney.”
“It was not O.K.,” recalled the VIP who witnessed the interplay. “The moment where you recognize someone you know — especially a famous person who’s doing a f–king fundraiser for you — it was delayed. It was uncomfortable.’”
Based on the e book, “Clooney was shaken to his core” by the incident, whereas different attendees “described Biden as slow and almost catatonic.”
The next month, Clooney penned a New York Occasions op-ed entitled, “I Love Joe Biden. But we need a new nominee,” that’s been seen because the turning level that ended the president’s marketing campaign for good.
