Joe Biden fails to recognize George Clooney at critical fundraiser, causing major concerns. This left George Clooney ‘shaken to his core’.
In a stunning revelation, President Joe Biden reportedly failed to recognize George Clooney.
Clooney, a long-time friend and major supporter, was at a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles in June 2024.
This moment, captured in the upcoming book Original Sin by Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper.
Biden, at 81 years old, appeared to suffer from a significant memory lapse, leaving Clooney visibly shaken.
It raised concerns over Biden’s declining health.
Biden’s memory lapse at fundraiser shocks Clooney and guests
At a star-studded event co-hosted by Clooney, Biden, then 81, struggled with memory and mobility.
At the time, the US president, escorted by an aide, appeared unaware of Clooney’s identity. This was despite their personal relationship of nearly two decades.
“It was obvious to many standing there that the president did not know who George Clooney was,” the authors wrote.
“Clooney was shaken to his core. The president hadn’t recognized him. A man he had known for years.”
Clooney, visibly shaken, could only watch as Biden awkwardly responded, “Oh, yeah … Hi, George!” after being prompted by an aide.
A Hollywood VIP who saw the incident called it “startling” and said it was “not okay.”
“It was like watching someone who was not alive,” the person recalled, according to the excerpt. “It was startling. And we all looked at each other. It was so awful.”
“It was not okay,” they added of the Clooney exchange. “That thing, the moment where you recognize someone you know — especially a famous person who’s doing a f—ing fundraiser for you — it was delayed. It was uncomfortable.”
Clooney’s concerns about Biden’s health
George Clooney, who had previously expressed concerns about Biden’s health, was taken aback by the President’s rapid decline.
The book described 81-year-old Biden, “severely diminished,” . He is hobbling into the event with an aide supporting him, while he repeatedly thanked guests.
“Clooney felt a knot form in his stomach as the president approached him,” the authors wrote.
At the event, Biden didn’t recognize Clooney and was forced to have an aide remind him.
“’You know George,’ the assisting aide told the president,” according to the excerpt.
“’Yeah, yeah,’ the president said, “Oh, yeah … Hi, George!”
Months earlier, a White House aide had hinted that Biden needed help with his gait. However, the fundraiser incident revealed that the issue was much deeper than just physical movement.
Clooney calls for Biden to drop out of 2024 race after debate performanc
Just weeks after the memory lapse incident, Clooney publicly called for Biden to step down from the 2024 race.
Biden’s poor performance during a debate with Donald Trump on June 27, 2024, raised concerns. The actor argued that the President was no longer fit to lead.
He is believed that Biden’s abilities were no longer sufficient to secure a victory in the upcoming election.
In short, Biden’s age and health are becoming more prominent issues in the 2024 campaign. As a result, questions about his ability to lead are likely to intensify.