Famed Hollywood star George Clooney was deeply disturbed when he saw former President Joe Biden at a major fundraising event last year, because although the two had known each other for decades, Biden seemed to struggle so badly he had to be repeatedly reminded who Clooney was, Axios reported Tuesday.
It's one of many new behind-the-scenes revelations in Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's new book about how Democratic officials came to conclude the former president had to leave the race.
Clooney had last seen Biden in 2022, when he was far more energetic and in his form, noted the report — and he was horrified at what he saw as the change that had happened in that time.
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"For Clooney and many other Democratic supporters of the president, Biden's appearance was a jarring sign of his physical and mental decline just before Biden's disastrous debate performance that would lead him to drop his bid for re-election," reported Justin Green. "'You know George,' the book quotes an aide telling Biden when he saw Clooney. 'George Clooney,' the aide had to clarify after it seemed obvious Biden hadn't realized which George. 'Oh, yeah!' Biden said, per the book. 'Hi, George!'"
This whole exchange left Clooney "shaken to his core," per the book, which went on to say that others at the event described Biden as "slow and almost catatonic ... It was, to some of them, terrifying."
Following this fundraiser, Clooney first went to former President Barack Obama, then went public with his fears, calling on Biden to drop out in a New York Times op-ed that initially led to widespread infighting and backlash among Democrats.
Ultimately, voters and party leaders came to the same conclusion after Biden's disastrous presidential debate with Donald Trump in June, which led to a massive pressure campaign and ultimately Biden's exit from the race in favor of then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
