Donald Trump slams George Clooney and Amal Clooney after they gain French citizenship
US President Donald Trump apparently welcomed the news of Hollywood star George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney. French citizenship grantedcalled the duo “two of the worst political prophets of all time” and claimed that the actor was known for his politics rather than his “utterly mediocre films”.
Naturalization of US-born star of the ocean A series of heist films starring his human rights lawyer wife and twins Ella and Alexander were announced last weekend. Magazine ImageWhere the decrees of the French government are published.
Clooney flagged this move in an interview. Esquire She said in October that she was “concerned about raising our kids in Los Angeles, in the Hollywood culture.”
“I don’t want them to walk around worrying about the paparazzi. I don’t want them to be compared to other people’s celebrity kids,” she said. These people, who grew up in France away from the limelight, “eat dinner with adults and have to eat their dishes. They have a much better life.”
On Thursday morning (AEDT) Trump posted on the Truth Social platform that this was “Good News!” He responded by declaring that he was.
“Two of the worst political forecasters of all time have officially become citizens of France, which is unfortunately in the midst of a major crime problem due to their absolutely appalling handling of immigration, just like under Sleepy Joe Biden,” Trump wrote.
Before taking aim at Clooney’s movie career, Trump referenced the star’s interference in the 2024 presidential race; Meanwhile, Clooney withdrew his support for then-incumbent and candidate Biden.
“Recall that Clooney dumped Joe during a fundraiser after the now-infamous debate, only to side with another star candidate, Jamala (W!), and is now taking on the worst governor in the country, including Tim Waltz and Gavin Newscum, who will likely defeat Democrats in the future,” Trump wrote.
“Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few and completely mediocre movies. He was by no means a movie star, just an average guy who constantly complained about common sense in politics. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The French government defended the decision
The French government said the couple were granted citizenship because they “contributed through their distinguished actions to the international influence and cultural support of France.”
The decision responded to concerns raised this week by Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Home Office who said some of the Clooneys’ new French citizens might think the star couple was being given special treatment. The actor speaks only French, which he says is “terrible, terrible”.
“The message being sent is not a good one,” Vedrenne said in an interview with broadcaster France Info. “It’s a matter of justice that, in my view, is absolutely necessary.”
The couple bought a property in France in 2021, and Clooney said it is their primary residence. There are multiple possible paths for naturalization for non-French people living in France. It was unclear whether the 64-year-old actor retained his American citizenship. His wife, 47, was born in Lebanon and raised in the UK and was naturalized by France under her maiden name Amal Alamuddin. Eight-year-old twins were born in London.
The State Department said the Clooneys are eligible for citizenship under French law, which allows the naturalization of foreign nationals who contribute to France’s international influence and economic prosperity.
He argued that France’s film industry would benefit from the actor’s influence as a global movie star, and said that Amal Clooney, as a lawyer, regularly works with academic institutions and international organizations in France.
“They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country,” the ministry said.
In the statement, he added a French touch by adding the letter “s” to the end of the actor’s name, saying, “Like many French citizens, we are very happy to have Georges and Amal Clooney join the national community.”
The decision was also defended by Vedrenne’s superior at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who said he had signed the naturalization decree.
He said it is a great chance for our country.
In recent media interviews while promoting his movie jay kellyClooney said he tried to teach himself French using a language learning app. He said that his wife and children speak the language perfectly.
“They speak French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face and I don’t know,” he joked, speaking to French broadcaster Canal+.
French media reported that the Clooneys lived part-time at their luxury 18th-century villa outside the town of Brignoles in southern France, where they were able to keep a lower profile and their children were protected from unauthorized photographs by French privacy laws.
with AP
Chris Hook is Sydney Cultural News Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
