Clooney warns it's a dangerous time for journalists under Trump, citing media attacks and democratic concerns.

Clooney Raises Alarm on Media Climate Under Trump

Actor and activist George Clooney said Wednesday that it is a “scary time to be a news person” under the administration of President Donald Trump. In a wide-ranging interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Clooney emphasized the growing hostility journalists face in what he called an era of intensified political targeting.

“Most news organizations are under fire,” Clooney stated, pointing specifically to attacks on CBS’s “60 Minutes” and on Cooper himself. He added, “That usually happens with demagogues… the first places you attack are the news, because that’s how we inform ourselves.”

The actor’s remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of Trump’s rhetoric toward media outlets, many of which have been accused by the administration of disseminating biased or false coverage. Clooney suggested that the president’s strategy aligns with those of authoritarian figures who aim to erode institutional credibility by undermining the press.

While acknowledging the current tension, Clooney challenged Cooper’s claim that the United States is experiencing its darkest moment. He invoked historical parallels to 1968, referencing the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, and widespread civil unrest. “Every city in the United States was burning,” he recalled. “The National Guard was surrounding the White House and the Capitol.”

On Trumpism and Its Future

When asked whether “Trumpism” would endure beyond Trump’s presidency, Clooney was skeptical. “I don’t think so,” he said. “Donald Trump is a celebrity. That’s what he is. I mean, he has a star on Hollywood Boulevard. I don’t have a star on Hollywood Boulevard. I’m not lobbying for one. I’m just saying.”

Clooney noted Trump’s personal charisma, acknowledging that many supporters find him “charming” and “funny.” However, he added that a substantial portion of Americans do not share that sentiment, and predicted that replicating Trump’s appeal would be difficult for future Republican figures. “They’re going to have to go looking for someone who can deliver the message that he delivered with the same kind of charisma. And they don’t have that.”

Cooper then asked Clooney whether he feared being personally targeted by Trump. “Sure. Everybody worries about it,” Clooney admitted. But he explained that allowing fear to dictate action would be a mistake. “If you spend your life worrying about things, then you won’t do things,” he said.

Reflecting on his family and personal values, Clooney added, “I want to be able to look at my kids in the eye and say where we stood and what we did at certain times in history. And I have no problem with that.”

The interview underscores broader concerns among public figures and media professionals about press freedom and political accountability in the current climate. As Clooney's comments continue to draw attention, they add another voice to the ongoing national conversation about democracy, media, and power.