Joe Biden reportedly failed to recognize George Clooney at a massive fundraiser the actor and filmmaker hosted for the then-president’s re-election campaign shortly before Clooney called on him to drop out of the 2024 election.
“Original Sin,” a new book that centers around Biden’s mental decline, alleged that Clooney was completely taken aback by Biden’s inability to recognize him during the June fundraiser that raised $30 million for Biden’s campaign despite their 20-year friendship, according to The Telegraph. Aides were quick to rush in to smooth over the mishap but Biden reportedly said Thank you for being here” multiple times as though speaking to a stranger.
The famous actor was “shaken to his core” after the disturbing encounter, the book claimed.
Clooney called on Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential election in a New York Times op-ed published July 10, 2024, reportedly weeks after the fundraiser took place. He expressed his love for Biden but wrote that “one battle he cannot win is the fight against time.”
“It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe “big F-ing deal” Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed in the debate,” he continued, referring to Biden’s disastrous debate against now-President Donald Trump.
A Hollywood figure was quoted in the book reviewed by The Telegram as saying, ” It was like watching someone who was not alive. It was startling. We all looked at each other. It was so awful.”
The book alleged that Biden’s team worked diligently to minimize the damage and to conceal the degree of Biden’s mental decline ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
When Clooney greeted then-President Biden, he said “How are ya?” and when the actor pressed him about his trip to the G7 Summit in Italy, he said “It was fine,” the book alleged.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 03: George Clooney attends “Good Night, And Good Luck” Broadway Opening Night at Winter Garden Theatre on April 03, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
An aide allegedly tried to jog Biden’s memory by prompting him.
“You know George,” the aide said, according to the book. The authors went on to say the aide’s efforts were in vain as Biden failed to show any sign of recognition.
The aide tried again by saying, “George Clooney,” at which point Biden responded: “Oh yeah. Hi George,” according to the book. (RELATED: Joe Biden Says Dropping Out Of 2024 Race Was ‘Hard’ Because His Presidency Was Just ‘So Successful’)
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 19: U.S. President Joe Biden addresses attendees at the International African-American Museum on January 19, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina. One day before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, Biden thanked South Carolina for its support during his speech. (Photo by Grant Baldwin/Getty Images)
“It was not OK,” an event attendee said to the book’s authors. “That thing, the moment where you recognize someone you know – especially a famous person who’s doing a fucking fundraiser for you… it was uncomfortable.”
Clooney has not directly addressed the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify the sequence of events.
