George Clooney has ruled out running for president of the United States, saying the country needs younger voices and new ideas ahead of the 2028 election.
The 65-year-old actor was speaking at The Future of Creativity symposium in Venice on Friday when he was asked whether he might seek the White House.
Clooney said he had no intention of becoming a presidential candidate and would instead support emerging politicians within the Democratic Party.
He singled out Georgia senator Jon Ossoff, Illinois governor JB Pritzker and Kentucky governor Andy Beshear as figures attracting attention ahead of the next presidential contest.
“We need young voices in there that are coming up with some new ideas and some new thoughts,” Clooney said, according to Variety.
The actor, who has long been involved in Democratic fundraising and political campaigning, also said the country needed stronger checks and balances.
“We’re not supposed to agree. That’s the whole idea of democracy,” he said during the Venice event, which was organised by Finch & Partners and Creative Artists Agency.
Clooney’s comments came days after he criticised the current state of US politics at the Venice Film Festival, describing the country as being led by “the least capable people” and expressing hope that the situation would return to normal after the November midterm elections.
He is in Venice to receive the festival’s 2026 Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.
