Michael Douglas says Clooney ditching Biden is 'valid' at this point
Michael Douglas is joining a growing chorus of top Hollywood figures who have backed President Biden but are now suggesting he should end his reelection bid, with the "Wall Street" actor saying he's "deeply concerned" about the campaign.
"It's such a tough one. I adore the guy. Fifty years of public service — a wonderful guy. This just happens to be one of these elections that is just so crucial. And it's really hard," Douglas said Wednesday on "The View," when asked by co-host Joy Behar about calls for Biden to step aside in the 2024 race.
"I don't worry necessarily today or tomorrow, but a year down the line, I worry. I am concerned," Douglas said.
The 79-year-old Academy Award winner was asked to weigh in on George Clooney's New York Times essay published just minutes before Douglas's appearance on the ABC daytime talk show.
In the editorial, Clooney — one of Hollywood's most prominent Democratic supporters who hosted a star-studded fundraiser for Biden's campaign only last month — said Democrats "are not going to win in November with this president."
"I think it's a valid point," Douglas said. "I'm deeply, deeply concerned. It's especially difficult because the Democrats have a big bench. They have a lot of heavy hitters."
"When Harry Met Sally" director and fierce Trump critic Rob Reiner had also expressed support for Clooney's opinion piece, saying while he respects Biden, "We need someone younger to fight back."
"Joe Biden must step aside," Reiner said in a Wednesday social media post.
Less than three months ago, Douglas had defended Biden's age and fitness for office, saying the 81-year-old president appeared as "sharp as a tack."
"Everybody” in Biden’s orbit who he’s consulted with says the president is “fine," Douglas, who hosted an April fundraiser for Biden's campaign, said at the time.
But Douglas expressed concern about Biden following last month's debate between the commander in chief and former President Trump. Biden's shaky debate performance reignited questions about his health and led to calls from Democratic lawmakers for him to exit the White House race.
In a letter earlier this week, Biden rejected those calls, saying, “I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024."
In his sit-down on "The View," Douglas, promoting his new documentary, "America's Burning," said, "We need courage. We just generally need some strength and courage on the side of both parties."