George Clooney fashions himself the unofficial King of Hollywood.
And he has a point. He's old-school handsome, has an Oscar on his mantle and, when he speaks, captures the industry's relentless liberal bias.
It's no accident that he was the final straw for President Joe Biden two years ago. Clooney's New York Times' op-ed asking the aging leader to give up plans for a second term did the trick.
This week, Clooney is weighing in on just about every topic courtesy of the Venice Film Festival. The actor/director, on hand to accept a lifetime achievement award, even spoke up on behalf of free speech, warning those who would restrict it to beware.
Heck, he sounds convincing on the subject.
The first people that authoritarians tried to shut down are not politicians. They’re journalists who ask questions. They’re the artists who refuse simple answers; the filmmakers, writers, actors, and musicians who insist that someone you never met is deserving of your empathy.
We’re not going to ban speech. I believe in free speech even when I completely disagree with it. That’s important, right? In fact, it’s part of how a democracy works.
Bravo! Except one person wasn't cheering from the cheap seats.
Actor James Woods took to X to skewer Clooney for his insincerity. First, he quoted the star's thoughts on free speech before making it personal.
And, yes, it is personal for Woods.
“We’re not going to ban speech,” Clooney said. “I believe in free speech even when I completely disagree with it.”
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) September 3, 2026
I was fired by the Gersh Agency because I openly declared my support of President Trump. Thanks for defending my right to free speech, George. Oh, wait… https://t.co/9KPrqc6eUn
I was fired by the Gersh Agency because I openly declared my support of President Trump. Thanks for defending my right to free speech, George. Oh, wait…
It doesn't end there. Woods hasn't had a major film role in more than a decade. He's a two-time Oscar nominee and, at 79, appears hale and hearty. There's no reason why he shouldn't be picking up gigs around Hollywood. What director would turn down the chance to work with a versatile veteran like Woods?
Well, there's one reason. He's a conservative.
Now, some right-leaning actors have been grandfathered in, allowed to work regularly despite their conservative views.
- Tim Allen
- Kelsey Grammer
- Sylvester Stallone
- Dennis Quaid
- Jon Voight
Some actors keep their conservative views to themselves to prevent punitive measures. Woods learned the hard way how "tolerant" today's Hollywood is.
Another example? Woods was a producer on the Oscar-winning film "Oppenheimer," but he kept that fact secret for fear it would hurt the movie's awards season chances.
It was painful ... I took one for the team.
Has Clooney spared a syllable for the new Blacklist, one targeting conservative artists? After all, he starred in "Good Night, and Good Luck," a movie and, later, Broadway show that tackled the '50s era Blacklist.
You'd think he'd be shouting from the rooftops about the new, not-so-improved model. Is he even aware of why Woods no longer works in Hollywood?
Nope. And the Legacy Media outlets that cover Hollywood won't hold Clooney accountable for his silence or ignorance on the matter.
