Clooney Reportedly "Shaken to His Core" by Biden Encounter, Raises Concerns About Cognitive Decline

An upcoming book is alleging a deeply unsettling encounter between George Clooney and former President Joe Biden at a 2024 fundraiser, leaving the actor reportedly "shaken to his core" and fueling concerns about the former president’s cognitive state. The excerpt, published by The New Yorker, paints a picture of a president seemingly failing to recognize Clooney, despite a long-standing acquaintance spanning over a decade.

The book, titled "Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," penned by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, details the encounter that has sent ripples through political and entertainment circles alike. According to the excerpt, the incident occurred at a star-studded fundraiser in 2024, where Clooney was present alongside fellow actor Julia Roberts.

The authors highlight the stark contrast between Biden’s demeanor during a previous meeting with Clooney in December 2022, when the actor was honored at the Kennedy Center, and his appearance at the 2024 fundraiser. While Biden appeared "playful" and "cogent" in 2022, the authors claim Clooney immediately noticed a significant physical and mental decline in the former president at the later event.

The book describes Biden as appearing "severely diminished, as if he’d aged a decade" since their last encounter. The authors further note that Biden was taking "tiny steps," requiring assistance from an aide who seemed to be guiding him by the arm.

As Biden approached Clooney, the actor reportedly felt a knot form in his stomach, an indication of his unease at the former president’s condition. According to the book, Biden greeted Clooney with a generic "Thank you for being here" without any sign of recognition. It was only after an aide prompted him, saying "You know George," that Biden offered a hesitant "Yeah, yeah" before repeating his gratitude.

The authors contend that it was clear Biden did not recognize Clooney, despite their long-standing acquaintance. An insider who witnessed the interaction described it as "not O.K.," noting the uncomfortable delay in Biden’s recognition. "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," the insider reportedly told the authors. "It was uncomfortable."

The alleged incident reportedly left Clooney deeply disturbed, with the authors claiming he was "shaken to his core." While Clooney had previously expressed concerns about Biden’s health, the encounter reportedly solidified his fears about the former president’s cognitive decline.

The book suggests that Biden’s issues extended beyond physical limitations, with the authors claiming he was exhibiting "obvious brain freezes and clear signs of a mental slide." This assessment aligns with growing concerns about Biden’s age and cognitive fitness, which became prominent issues during the 2024 presidential election cycle.

Adding fuel to the fire, Clooney publicly called on Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election in a New York Times guest essay published in July 2024. In the op-ed, Clooney argued that Biden’s disastrous debate performance against former President Trump proved he was too old to effectively serve a second term.

Clooney emphasized that his concerns were solely related to Biden’s age and cognitive abilities, stating, "This is about age. Nothing more. But also nothing that can be reversed. We are not going to win in November with this president."

The actor also referenced the unsettling encounter at the Hollywood fundraiser in June 2024, noting the stark contrast between the Biden he knew from previous years and the man he witnessed at the event. "It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010," Clooney wrote. "He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate."

Defending his decision to publish the op-ed, Clooney emphasized his commitment to truthfulness, drawing upon his upbringing as the son of a journalist. He told "60 Minutes" that he felt compelled to speak out after witnessing Biden’s condition firsthand at the fundraiser.

Clooney stated, "I was raised to tell the truth. I had seen the president up close for his fundraiser, and I was surprised, and so I feel as if there were a lot of profiles in cowardice in my party through all of that. And I was not proud of that, and I also believed I had to tell the truth."

The book excerpt and Clooney’s public statements have ignited a debate about the former president’s cognitive fitness and the potential impact on his ability to govern. While some have dismissed the concerns as politically motivated, others have acknowledged the validity of the questions raised by Clooney and the book’s authors.

The claims made in the upcoming book are sure to intensify the ongoing scrutiny of the former president’s cognitive state, potentially shaping public perception and influencing the broader political landscape. The allegations present a complex and delicate situation, requiring careful consideration of the facts and a nuanced understanding of the challenges associated with aging and cognitive decline.