Actor George Clooney thinks Maryland Governor Wes Moore is standing out from other possible Democratic hopefuls for the 2028 U.S. presidential election. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Clooney stated, “There’s one person in particular I think is spectacular.”
Even as he also singled out Democratic Governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Clooney underscored, “But who I think is … levitating above that is Wes Moore.”
‘He’s a Proper Leader’
Clooney mentioned Moore’s service in the military, leadership of a large philanthropic organization, and his management of a recent tragedy as reasons why he admires him. “I think he is a guy that has dealt with this tragedy in Baltimore wonderfully. He does two tours of duty in Afghanistan – active duty. He speaks wonderfully. He’s intelligent. He ran a hedge fund called the ‘Robin Hood Foundation’. He’s a good leader,” he said.
The bridge collapse Clooney was speaking of was the 2024 one in Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which saw national focus. Moore’s reaction to the tragedy was generally regarded as efficient and composed. Clooney went on, “I like him a lot. I think he could be someone we could all get in behind.”
In an earlier New York Times op-ed, Clooney called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 contest. Today, he advises that Democrats need to act quickly to identify a uniting figure. “We have to find somebody pretty soon,” he stated. “It’s our job now to assemble a proper crew to stand up because [Democrats are] currently polling very badly.”
Whereas Moore had publicly endorsed Biden before he dropped out of the 2024 race during continuing controversies over the president’s age and mental acuity, his own history has been questioned. In 2023, The New York Times revealed that Moore had supposedly misrepresented having received a Bronze Star on an application for a 2006 White House fellowship.
In spite of that storm, Clooney’s support indicates increased interest in Moore as an emerging Democratic star with leadership potential and national appeal.
