The French government confirmed this week that it has granted citizenship to George and Amal Clooney (pictured on the London red carpet in October) and their 7-year-old twins.
Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images
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Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images
One of Hollywood's most recognizable stars is now officially a French citizen.
French government bulletin published over the weekend, confirms that the country has granted citizenship to George Clooney. together with his wifehuman rights lawyer Amal Clooney and their 7-year-old twins.
The Clooney family, originally from Lexington, Kentucky and Beirut, Lebanon, respectively, bought 18th century manor in Provence, France in 2021. Esq interview This October, the Oscar-winning actor and director named a French “farm” as his primary residence, a decision he said was made with their children in mind.
“I was worried about raising our kids in Los Angeles, in the Hollywood culture,” Clooney said. “I felt like they would never get a fair shake in life. France – they don't care about fame. I don't want them walking around worrying about the paparazzi. I don't want them to be compared to anyone's famous kids.”
In another interview about his recent Jay Kelly press tour, Clooney mentioned that his wife and children speak perfect French and joke that they are using it to insult him to his face while he is still trying to learn the language.
This week, after a French official raised questions about fairness, France's foreign ministry explained that the Clooneys are eligible for citizenship under a law that allows citizenship to foreign nationals who contribute to the country's international influence and cultural activities.he Associated Press reports.
The French government highlighted the actor's influence as a global film star and the lawyer's work with academic institutions and international organizations in France.
“They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country,” the ministry added, according to the AP. “Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney to the national community.”
They're not the only ones celebrating. President Trump, who has a history of trading barbs with Clooney, welcomed the news while once again criticizing the actor.
On New Year's Eve True Social PostTrump called the pair “two of the worst political forecasters of all time” and criticized Clooney for supporting then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election.
“Clooney has gotten more attention for politics than for his very few and very mediocre films,” wrote Trump, who himself made cameos in several films for many years. “He wasn't a movie star at all, he was just a regular guy who constantly complained about common sense in politics. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Clooney responded the next day with a statement that was shared by multiple media outlets, including Deadline And Diversity.
“I completely agree with the current president,” Clooney said, before referencing the midterm elections later this year. “We must make America great again. We'll start in November.”
Clooney and Trump – once friends – have long been critical of each other
Clooney, a longtime activist and donor to the Democratic Party, remains active in U.S. politics despite his move abroad.
In July 2024, he shocked the political establishment by publishing New York Times article calling on then-President Joe Biden, for whom he had been actively fundraising just weeks earlier, to abandon his re-election bid to make way for another Democrat with a better chance of taking the White House. Growing chorus of calls led to Biden's withdrawal from the race by the end of that month.
In December NPR interview Fresh air, Clooney said his decision to speak out on this and other issues usually comes down to “when I feel like no one else will.”
“You will lose all your influence if you fight every battle,” he added. “You have to choose ones that you know well, that you are well informed about, and that you have a say in, and you hope will have some effect.”
Clooney has been an outspoken critic of Trump throughout both of his terms, most recently on freedom of the press during actor's Broadway image late journalist Edward R. Murrow last spring.
And Trump has been equally outspoken about his dislike of Clooney, including in an offensive Truth Social post calling him “fake movie actor” – after publishing your New York Times review.
In December, just days before the latest confrontation, Clooney shared Diversity interview that he and Trump were on good terms during the president's reality show. He said Trump called him often and once tried to help him get into the hospital for an appointment with a spine surgeon.
“He's a big fool. Well, that’s what happened,” Clooney added. “Everything has changed.”
In the same Diversity interview, Clooney is a long-time son TV presenter Nick Clooney – slammed CBS And ABC for abandoning his journalistic duties by paying to settle lawsuits with the Trump administration. He expressed concern about the current state of the media, especially the direction CBS News is taking within its operations. controversial new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss.
Weiss responded by inviting Clooney to visit the CBS broadcast center to learn more about their work, in a written statement published in the magazine. New York Post on Tuesday. It all started with “Good Day Mr. Clooney,” as a tribute to the actor's new career milestone.
Clooney told NPR last month that he will continue to stand up for what he believes in, even if it means people who disagree with him will decide not to watch his films.
“I'm not giving up my right to free speech just because I have a Screen Actors Guild card,” he added. “The minute they ask me to just lie, I lose.”
