Veteran actor George Clooney has criticized the administration of US President Donald Trump, describing the current period in American politics as an “unfortunate” moment in the country’s history. Clooney 65, made the remarks on the opening day of the Venice Film Festival, where he is set to receive a Golden Lion for career achievement. Speaking at a press conference, Clooney said he felt “ashamed” of the US government and expressed concern about the people currently running the country. He referred to the term “kakistocracy”, which describes government by people considered to be the least qualified to hold power. “I think maybe we have a kakistocracy right now, but we’ll get through it,” Clooney said. The actor, who has previously criticized the Trump administration, said the US could begin to see political changes through the midterm elections in November. He also expressed hope that the 2028 presidential election could bring a return to what he described as greater “normalcy” in American politics. Clooney’s comments came during a wide-ranging discussion at the festival covering his career, artificial intelligence, climate change and the future of the film industry.
