Senior Democratic Party figures say a serious internal discussion is underway about backing Hollywood actor and longtime donor George Clooney as the party’s presidential nominee in 2028, according to party leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity.
They say Clooney has built influence inside the party over the past two decades through consistent fundraising and public advocacy for a reform-minded message. He is described as one of the Democratic Party’s most dependable contributors in recent election cycles and an outspoken defender of its agenda against attacks from former President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
Party sources also credit Clooney with playing a pivotal role in urging Joe Biden to step aside after the incumbent’s widely panned debate performance, pointing to Clooney’s high-profile op-ed calling for Biden to withdraw—an intervention they say helped tip the internal conversation toward backing an alternative, ultimately paving the way for Kamala Harris.
Backers argue Clooney’s appeal lies in being outside Washington’s entrenched political class and in signaling a generational break from Democrats who presided over last year’s historic defeat. They say his profile could refresh the party’s image and reconnect with younger voters.
Even so, leaders acknowledge the party faces a genuine leadership crunch, with many ambitious Democrats vying to steer the next phase. Clooney is seen by some as a viable vehicle to reframe the party’s message around everyday concerns while retaining broad donor support—if he chooses to run.
Their conclusion: the Democratic base, fundraising networks, and messaging are intact; what’s missing, they argue, is a new standard-bearer who marks a clean break from the past two decades of leadership.