George Clooney has come under fire from the White House after saying President Trump had effectively called for the United States to commit “a war crime” in comments about Iran.
The 64-year-old actor’s remarks followed a Truth Social post from the president on Tuesday that was widely criticized for its tone, in which he warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” as a deadline approached for the Iranian regime.
Trump’s warning — paired with reports of B-1B and B-52 bombers positioned to enforce his ultimatum — was later followed by word of a temporary ceasefire arrangement with Iran, a development that could lead to the Strait of Hormuz reopening to international oil tankers.
Speaking the next day to an audience in Italy, Clooney argued that the president’s language crossed a moral and legal boundary. “Some say Donald Trump is fine. But if anyone says he wants to end a civilization, that’s a war crime,” the Oceans 11 actor is reported as saying.
Clooney’s criticism, according to ANSA, focused on Trump personally rather than conservatives broadly, with the actor adding: “You can still support the conservative point of view, but there must be a line of decency, and we must not cross it.”
At the event in Cuneo, Italy — hosted by the Clooney Foundation for Justice and attended by about 3,000 high school students — Clooney also took aim at Trump’s ongoing messaging about NATO.
“I’m worried about NATO,” the star said. “It has ensured that Europe, but also the rest of the world, has been safe. Dismantling an institution like this worries me. Aside from many mistakes, I believe the U.S. [with NATO] has also done many extraordinary things that have stood the test of time.”
However, Clooney’s suggestion that Trump’s threat amounted to a war crime — framed around the idea of total destruction against a civilization asserted to be thousands of years old — prompted a sharp response from the White House.
White House communications director Steven Cheung shot back: “The only person committing war crimes is George Clooney for his awful movies and terrible acting ability.”
Clooney was unimpressed by the jab, calling the personal swipe “infantile” at a moment when, he argued, world events warranted more serious public discussion.
In a statement shared with Deadline after the remarks circulated, Clooney said: “Families are losing their loved ones. Children have been incinerated.
“The world’s economy is on a knife’s edge. This is a time for vigorous debate at the highest levels. Not for infantile name calling. I’ll start. A war crime is alleged ‘when there is intent to physically destroy a nation,’ as defined by the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute.
“What is the administration’s defense? [besides calling me a failed actor which I happily agree with having starred in Batman and Robin?].”