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George Clooney news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
George Clooney received the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at Venice Film Festival. He used the platform to criticize the Trump administration and AI's threat to truth.
Background
George Clooney has a long history with the Venice Film Festival, first appearing in 1998 with 'Out of Sight'. On September 2, 2026, he was honored with the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, an award that caps nearly three decades of work as an actor, director, and producer. The festival's opening day was marked by Clooney's outspoken comments on US politics, AI, and the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
How it unfolded
- 1998Clooney first appeared at the Venice Film Festival with 'Out of Sight'.
- Sep 2, 2026Clooney held a press conference on the opening day, discussing his career, AI, climate change, and US politics.
- Sep 2, 2026Clooney received the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the opening ceremony, presented by Laura Dern.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Venice Film Festival honored Clooney with its highest honor, the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.
- Public
- Clooney expressed shame over the US government, calling it run by the 'least qualified people' and citing a tweet by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- Support
- Clooney defended Mark Ruffalo's right to criticize the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, saying 'I believe in free speech even when I completely disagree with it.'