George Clooney criticizes US administration as kakistocracy at Venice Film Festival opening

Remarks at the Venice opening

At a press conference preceding the opening night of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday, actor and filmmaker George Clooney addressed the political landscape of the United States. Speaking before receiving the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the festival's opening ceremony, the 65-year-old actor characterized the federal administration under President Donald Trump as a kakistocracy, which he defined as a government run by the least qualified individuals. The term has roots in ancient Greek, formed from kakos, meaning bad, and kratos, meaning power or rule. The label has appeared in prior political discourse, including a 2018 statement by former CIA director John Brennan regarding the Trump administration, as well as management research by Isabelle Barth published in 2024. Clooney stated that while the current national climate is unfortunate, he remains optimistic about the resilience of the country.

I think we might be living in a kakistocracy right now, but we will get through it.

Historical parallels and electoral timeline

Clooney referenced previous national crises to contextualize the current political climate, drawing specific comparisons to the events of 1968. He noted that he was old enough to recall that period in the United States, when cities nationwide saw widespread violence and civil unrest following the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, while military tanks surrounded the Capitol. Addressing present-day governance, Clooney expressed dismay over public discourse and leadership conduct, citing an online post by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that made disparaging remarks about Canadian military personnel. Clooney emphasized that upcoming elections offer an institutional correction, viewing the November midterm elections as a vital system of checks and balances before the 2028 presidential cycle.

The midterms are in November, which will certainly be a time to take stock, and with a little luck, in 2028 we will return to some normality.

Climate debate and independent cinema lineup

During the press conference, Clooney also spoke about climate change, criticizing political leaders who treat scientific consensus and environmental degradation as a farce. He asserted that administrations dismissive of science would not remain in power permanently, expressing confidence that future officeholders would prioritize environmental protection. The remarks unfolded as the 83rd Venice Film Festival commenced its run from 2 September to 12 September 2026. Leading Hollywood studios largely bypassed this year's festival, making Clooney and British actor Robert Pattinson rare high-profile studio representatives on the Lido. The festival lineup focused heavily on independent productions, biographical works on figures including Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, and the Gallagher brothers, alongside Middle Eastern documentaries such as Amos Gitai's "Road to Jericho" and "Naza" by Oscar-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.