George Clooney Becomes French: Trump Fires Back on Social Media

Hollywood Icon Becomes Français

George Clooney, the Oscar-winning actor long linked to Lake Como, has quietly added a second passport to his collection. French authorities confirmed overnight that Clooney, 63, was granted citizenship after completing a streamlined naturalization process reserved for individuals the state deems to have "contributed to the prestige of France."

The Spark That Lit the Fuse

News of the ceremony—held last Friday in the gilded Salon des Maréchaux inside the Elysée Palace—leaked when a clerk posted, then deleted, a celebratory selfie with the star. Within minutes, conservative commentators in the United States framed the move as a celebrity defection, and former president Donald Trump seized the moment.

I hear George P. Clooney just ran to France. Good riddance—maybe they’ll make him pay for their failing NATO bill! America First means AMERICANS first.

Trump’s post, viewed 11 million times in two hours, triggered a cascade of memes and counter-claims across social platforms.

Why France, Why Now?

Friends of Clooney say the decision is less about politics than family. His wife, human-rights lawyer Amal Clooney, holds dual British and Lebanese citizenship; the couple’s six-year-old twins have been attending a bilingual school in Provence since 2022. A source close to the actor told Le Monde the timing allowed the family to consolidate residency ahead of France’s tightening tax rules for non-EU nationals.

Trump Doubles Down

At a rally in Des Moines, Trump mocked the actor’s environmental activism. "Clooney flies to Cannes in a private jet to lecture us on carbon—now he’s a citizen of the country that gets 70 percent of its electricity from nukes. Give me a break." The crowd roared; campaign aides quickly clipped the line into a 15-second TikTok that topped 4 million views by sunrise.

Paris Shrugs, Hollywood Winks

French culture minister Rachida Dati praised Clooney’s "commitment to cinema and humanitarian causes," while the presidential palace declined further comment. Meanwhile, fellow A-lister Matt Damon quipped on Jimmy Kimmel Live!: "If they’re handing out passports for charm, I’d like a Swiss bank account to go with mine."

What Citizenship Changes for Clooney

• EU passport: visa-free travel across 27 countries
• Access to France’s national health system
• Right to vote in municipal and European elections
• Obligation to file French tax returns on worldwide income, though dual-national treaties limit double taxation

The Bigger Picture

The skirmish underscores a recurring theme: American celebrities who acquire European passports often become political footballs at home. From Tina Turner’s Swiss naturalization to Johnny Depp’s French estate, each case fuels debate over loyalty, taxation, and cultural cachet. For Clooney—whose net worth Forbes estimates at $550 million—the move is part logistics, part provocation, and pure tabloid gold.

Whether Trump’s attacks dent Clooney’s brand—or boost it—remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the actor’s next starring role may be on the ballot of public opinion, with two continents watching.