George Clooney says celebrities shouldn't run for president
"Maybe we’ll find someone who knows how to make policy," he added.
— -- George Clooney is already dismissing rumors of a possible White House run, although 2020 is still a few years away.
"I think that having a celebrity as president who has a star on Hollywood Boulevard will exorcise our need to have someone famous in office," Clooney told Variety, referring to President Donald Trump. "And maybe we’ll find someone who knows how to make policy."
Clooney, 56, is currently in Canada for the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of "Suburbicon," which he produced, directed and co-wrote.
The film, which opens nationwide on Oct. 27, is an updated version of an old Coen Brothers script about a 1950's couple -- played by Julianne Moore and Matt Damon -- who are victims of a brutal robbery. Clooney and co-writer Grant Heslov updated the script by adding a subplot about a black family facing racism from their white neighbors.
During his interview, Clooney also called out the president's response to the violence that erupted in Charlottesville, Virginia, last month.
"These are moments when we are supposed to come together," he noted. “You can’t compare Black Lives Matter, who are protesting in support of racial equality, to the KKK and the alt-right, who are protesting in support of racial supremacy."
"You cannot balance those two -- period," the new father continued. "To see that happen at the highest level in our country was very disappointing and gutting for a lot of us.”
If he ever were to run, Clooney wouldn't be able to count on one of his "Suburbicon" stars, Moore, for her vote. Moore, who was interviewed along with Clooney, told the magazine, "I don’t think actors should be president.”
Turning to her producer and director, Moore added, “I’m sorry, George.”