Actor George Clooney has denounced Donald Trump’s threats to destroy an entire civilization in Iran if his ultimatum to the mullahs is not met. This criticism did not sit well with the administration.
“Childish insults,” George Clooney’s fury erupted after another round of criticism against the White House. The 64-year-old American actor, who is now also French, has been criticizing the Trump administration’s strategy in Iran as dangerous and erratic for several days.
Prior to the announcement of a ceasefire with Iran, the actor expressed concern over Donald Trump’s threats to wipe out “an entire civilization” if his ultimatum is not respected. “Anyone who claims they want to annihilate a civilization commits a war crime. You can definitely support the conservative point of view, but there is a line not to be crossed,” the actor declared on Wednesday at an event organized by the Clooney Foundation for Justice at an Italian high school.
In response, White House communication director Steven Cheung retorted sharply, stating, “The only person committing war crimes is George Clooney, with his awful films and pitiful acting.”
Clooney expressed dismay at this response in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “The time has come for a vigorous debate at the highest level, not the indulgence in childish insults. Let’s start. A war crime is defined as ‘when there is an intention to physically destroy a nation,’ in accordance with the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Rome Statute,” George Clooney asserted.
The Rome Statute, a founding treaty of the International Criminal Court, defines war crimes, including “intentionally directing attacks knowing they will cause incidental loss of life to civilians, or damage to civilian property that would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage expected.”
Concerned that “families will lose their loved ones,” Clooney questioned, “What is the administration’s defense? Other than calling me a bad actor, which I gladly confirm after starring in Batman and Robin?” The actor humorously referenced a flop superhero movie released in 1997.
A strong supporter of the Democratic camp, George Clooney has frequently expressed his disdain for Donald Trump’s policies, which Trump often responds to personally. Trump has referred to Clooney as a “second-rate actor.” Their mutual animosity reached its peak during the Clooney couple’s French naturalization in December 2025.
