Clooney remembered Obama's response to the Charleston massacre in 2015.
With just a few days left in Barack Obama’s eight-year presidency, some of Hollywood’s greatest are getting wistful about the prospect of him bowing out to make way for the divisive Donald Trump.
One such star is George Clooney, who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in London at a special screening of Netflix’s Syrian civil war documentary The White Helmets on Monday night (January 9th). The actor, known to be frequently politically engaged, shared his thoughts on the most memorable moment in Obama’s two terms as president.
George Clooney with wife Amal at Cannes in 2016
“The idea that the president of the United States can show up in South Carolina after nine people in a church had been shot and sing 'Amazing Grace' – and the way he sang 'Amazing Grace' – was one of the most moving things I've ever seen in my life,” referring to Obama's response to the deadly Charleston church shooting in 2015.
“I couldn't imagine any other president in our history doing that,” he continued. “He moved us in a way, and those family members moved us by not retaliating and keeping the city calm. It was such a moving moment that I'll always remember.”
More: George Clooney celebrates two-year wedding anniversary with Amal – “and they said it wouldn’t last”
About the incoming Donald Trump, who is to be officially inaugurated on January 20th, the 55 year old actor sounded a rather downbeat but optimistic note.
“We have to hope that he can do a decent job, because when the President of the United States fails, really terrible things happen,” Clooney told reporters, adding that Americans had gotten “unlucky” with Trump as their president-elect.
Finally, he defended his fellow star Meryl Streep after her acceptance speech at the weekend’s Golden Globes saw her criticise Trump. In response to many reactions that said celebrities shouldn’t get involved in politics, Clooney said: “I support her right forever”.
More: Donald Trump brands Meryl Streep “overrated” in tweet after her Golden Globes speech
This film feels kind of like what you'd expect from a collision between George Clooney...
In the quiet, seemingly perfect land of suburbia, a businessman named Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon)...
A sleekly made thriller with a sparky sense of humour, this is also a rare...
An intelligent ode to a time when Hollywood made wildly inventive movies without pressure from...
Ever since his wonderful appearance in Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel, we've been waiting...
If you're looking for news on what stocks to buy, you switch on the TV...
Eddie Mannix is a fixer who works in Hollywood where he tames celebrities and keeps...
Big summer blockbusters are so rarely optimistic that it's tricky to know how to take...
Casey Newton loves inventing and all things scientific, but she's definitely got a problem with...
Casey Newton is a gifted budding scientist, though has occasionally found herself in trouble with...
When young science enthusiast Casey Newton (Britt Robertson) fell into a spot of trouble with...
For an amazing true story performed by such a strong A-list cast, this is an...
Tracy Letts adapts his own prize-winning play into a blistering depiction of one of cinema's...
'The Monuments Men' is based on the true story of seven unlikely museum directors, curators...