American President Donald Trump reacted sarcastically after George Clooney and his family received French passports. The actor responded in the same tone.
The 64-year-old Oscar winner, his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney, and their two children became French citizens earlier this month after living for several years at a property in southern France.
Trump, whose administration has supported anti-immigration parties in Europe, wrote on Truth Social that France was the right place for Clooney, a long-time Democratic supporter who has been involved in fundraising and a vocal critic of the president.
"Good news! George and Amal Clooney, two of the weakest political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France, which, unfortunately, is in the midst of a major crime problem due to the absolutely horrible way they handle immigration," Trump wrote, according to The Guardian.
"Clooney has had more publicity for politics than for his very few and totally mediocre movies. He was not a movie star at all, just a regular guy who complained constantly about common sense in politics," added the American president.
How Clooney Responded
"I totally agree with the current president. We need to make America great again. We will start in November," the American star said about the US midterm elections on November 3, to Hollywood Reporter.
Clooney, a long-time Democratic supporter who has been involved in fundraising and a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, welcomed French privacy legislation that largely protected his family from international press intrusion, while also providing them the opportunity to raise their children outside of Hollywood.
George Clooney and his family received French passports ahead of tightened language requirements for French citizenship, under the new immigration rules that came into effect on January 1.
Clooney Speaks Poor French
A member of French President Emmanuel Macron's government criticized the decision to grant passports despite Clooney's poor French language skills.
"Personally, I understand the double standard feeling of some French people. We must be careful about the message we send," said Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Deputy Minister of the Interior, to France Info radio.
Her boss, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, defended the decision.
The civil code states that "French citizenship can be granted by naturalization, at the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to any French-speaking foreigner who requests it and who contributes through his distinguished services to France's influence and the prosperity of its international economic relations."
Under the new immigration rules, candidates will need a certificate attesting to a level of French language proficiency that would allow them to enter a French university. They will also have to pass a civic knowledge test.
However, Clooney acknowledged that his French remains weak. "I love French culture, your language, even though I still don't master it well after 400 days of lessons," he said in English on RTL radio in December.
On the other hand, his wife, an international human rights lawyer with dual British and Lebanese citizenship, speaks French fluently.
Clooney purchased Domaine du Canadel, a former vineyard property near the town of Brignoles in Provence, in 2021 and stated that his family feels happy there.
Nunez, the Interior Minister, said he is "very happy" that the actor and his family have become French, stating that France was fortunate to host them.
Why Clooney Received French Citizenship
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the allocation of passports to the Clooney family "meets the conditions set by law" for naturalization, "following a rigorous procedure that includes security investigations, naturalization interviews at the prefecture, and the payment of tax stamps."
The Ministry added that the Clooneys "contribute through their distinguished services to France's international influence and cultural prestige" through the actor's role in the film industry, which "would only contribute to maintaining and promoting France's position in this essential economic sector."
Amal Clooney is "a renowned lawyer" who "regularly collaborates with academic institutions and international organizations based in France," the institution added.
Approximately 48,800 people acquired French citizenship by decree in 2024, according to figures from the Ministry of the Interior.
Clooney is not the only famous American seeking a French passport: Hollywood director Jim Jarmusch announced on Friday that he is also applying, stating on French radio that he wants "a place where he can escape from the United States."
T.D.