How George Clooney Subtly Stuck It To Donald Trump At 2026 Golden Globes
By Fiyin Olowokandi on January 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM EST
George Clooney knows the best way to respond to critics is with humor, and he did just that to Donald Trump at the 2026 Golden Globes.
The actor has long been outspoken about the president, and their back-and-forth continued after Clooney's recent move abroad.
Trump blasted Clooney’s relocation, and while Clooney has since replied, he recently turned it up a notch.
George Clooney Uses French-Speaking Skills At The Golden Globes In A Subtle Jab at Donald Trump
The “Ocean's Eleven” actor took the stage to present the Best Picture award at the January 11 ceremony alongside his co-star, Don Cheadle, and seemingly poked fun at Trump.
Per Entertainment Weekly, Clooney opened by greeting the star-studded audience in French, saying, "Bonsoir, mes amis," which translates to "Good evening, my friends." He followed with, "C'est un honneur d'être ici" ("It's an honor to be here").
Clooney’s brief display of French did not go unnoticed and was widely viewed as a nod to his recently acquired French citizenship, a move Trump had publicly criticized.
The commander-in-chief reacted on New Year's Eve with a lengthy post on his Truth Social. "Good News! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France," Trump wrote, according to The Blast.
The politician went on to slam France's handling of immigration, comparing it to what he described as failures “under Sleepy Joe Biden.” Trump insisted Clooney wronged Biden by backing Kamala Harris, alleging she is battling Tim Walz and Gavin Newsom for control of the Democratic Party's path to defeat.
The president then aimed at Clooney’s acting career, claiming he got more spotlight from his opinions on politics than from any movie he has acted in.
George Clooney Clapped Back At Donald Trump With Future Promise
In response, Clooney hit back at the U.S. leader with a statement that read, "I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again. We'll start in November."
The media personality and his wife, along with their twin children, obtained citizenship by naturalization, with their Domaine du Canadel listed as their primary residence.
The 64-year-old’s relocation marks a significant departure from his longtime life in Los Angeles. He has previously voiced concerns about raising children in Hollywood's fame-driven environment, which he believes could rob them of a normal upbringing.
In contrast, he sees France as a healthier setting, where celebrity status carries far less influence.
Amal Clooney Reportedly Faced Risk of U.S. Entry Restrictions
Months before George and his family secured French citizenship, his wife, Amal Clooney, was reportedly at risk of facing U.S. travel limitations.
The concern arose from a plan backed by Trump that targeted British lawyers connected to the International Criminal Court's war crimes investigation involving Israeli officials.
According to The Blast, international law expert Alexandro Maria Tirelli warned that Amal, a U.K. citizen, could be affected if sanctions were expanded to include more British lawyers.
If enforced, such measures could restrict Amal's ability to enter the United States, despite her deep personal and professional ties to the country.
George Clooney Reacted To His Name Being Dropped In Virginia Giuffre’s Memoir
Late last year, the actor found himself allegedly mentioned in Virginia Giuffre’s book, "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice."
Following the allegations, The Blast reported that Clooney was angered and distressed over the name drop. Sources close to Clooney described his reaction as "blood boiling," stressing that he has no connection to Jeffrey Epstein or his associates.
One insider emphasized, "He has never met Ghislaine Maxwell in his life, and he's horrified his name has been dragged into this."
George Clooney Decides to End Onscreen Romantic Roles
After distancing himself from recent allegations, Clooney revealed a personal shift in his acting career. The actor explained that he will no longer take on roles requiring romantic kissing scenes, a choice inspired by his wife.
As The Blast previously reported, the filmmaker explained he was "trying to go the route Paul Newman did" and is now prioritizing his family.
He recalled a conversation with Amal when he turned 60, noting that the decision reflects his desire to focus on his wife and children rather than maintaining his longtime image as Hollywood's heartthrob.
