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Veteran actor George Clooney said Wednesday the United States is going through an "unfortunate" period under the Trump administration, describing the government as one run by the "least qualified people."
Clooney spoke to the media on the opening day of the Venice Film Festival, where he is to be awarded a Golden Lion for career achievement. He attended the press conference with his wife, Amal Clooney, ahead of the festival's opening ceremony, where he is scheduled to receive the honor.
In a press conference that touched on his career, artificial intelligence, climate change, and the state of the filmmaking industry, Clooney said he felt "ashamed" of the U.S. government.
"I do believe... we're at a moment in time that's unfortunate. I think that's an understatement," said the 65-year-old star, who has spoken out against the Trump administration in the past.
"There's a great word, a kakistocracy, which is a country run by the least qualified people. I think maybe we have a kakistocracy right now, but we'll get through it," he said.
Midterm elections in November may provide a "check and balance", he said, while "in 2028 with any luck we'll have some restoration into some normalcy," said Clooney.
Calling himself an optimist, Clooney said he remembered living through other dark times in the country's history.
"I'm old enough to have been through 1968 in the States when every city in the United States was set on fire and we lost Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy in the same year," he said.
"There was tons of violence. The Capitol was surrounded with tanks," he said. "We've had some other difficult times, but this is one of them."
He cited a tweet posted this week by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appearing to mock the physical appearance of an overweight female Canadian soldier presenting a medal at a youth camp.
"Where's the sense of decency in all of this? And I'm ashamed of all of that, but we will get through it," said Clooney. "And we will come out better on the other side."
Clooney also weighed in on the media industry, saying some of the world's wealthiest individuals now own major outlets including The Washington Post and the platform X, and voiced skepticism over the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Asked about actor Mark Ruffalo, who has faced accusations of antisemitism over his criticism of the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, Clooney defended his colleague.
Asked about artificial intelligence's impact on the film industry, Clooney said the sector would need to find ways to adapt, adding he would "like to avoid being in a tampon commercial 20 years after I'm dead."
The Venice Film Festival runs through Sept. 12. Actress Ellen Burstyn, 93, is also set to receive a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement during this year's edition.
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