George Clooney Reflects on Friendship with Trump and Embraces European Lifestyle
George Clooney recently opened up about his past friendship with President Donald Trump, revealing surprising details about their relationship before politics changed their dynamic. In an interview with Variety, the 64-year-old actor recalled, “I knew him very well. He used to call me a lot, and he tried to help me get into a hospital once to see a back surgeon.” Clooney described their casual interactions at clubs and restaurants, portraying a different side of Trump than what most people see today. “He’s a big goofball,” Clooney noted, quickly adding, “Well, he was. That all changed.” The Oscar winner, known for his liberal political stance, described the current political climate in America as “trying,” a sentiment that comes as he and his family have embraced a significant life change by becoming French citizens. The naturalization decree was published in the French newspaper Journal Officiel on December 27, marking a new chapter for the Clooney family amid the polarized American landscape they’ve partially left behind.
The Clooneys’ decision to establish roots in France reflects their deliberate approach to raising their 8-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, away from the Hollywood spotlight. Their primary residence is now a sprawling farm in the south of France, complete with 100 acres of vineyards and 1,200 olive trees. This rural property represents more than just a beautiful estate—it embodies the lifestyle values George and Amal want to instill in their children. “A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid, I hated the whole idea of it,” Clooney confessed to Esquire, revealing his changed perspective. “But now, for them, it’s like—they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.” This transformation from Hollywood celebrity to European countryside farmer shows how parenthood has shifted Clooney’s priorities, as he seeks to provide his children with the groundedness he believes they need.
The actor has been candid about his concerns regarding raising children in Hollywood, expressing worries about the culture of fame and its potential impact on his twins. “I was worried about raising them in the culture of Hollywood,” he admitted, believing they would “never” have “a fair shake” at normal life in Los Angeles. France offered the family a different atmosphere, one where celebrity status carries less weight in daily interactions. “France—they kind of don’t give a s*** about fame,” Clooney observed with apparent relief. “I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.” This perspective highlights the couple’s thoughtful approach to parenting, prioritizing their children’s well-being and development over the trappings of celebrity life that Clooney has experienced for decades.
The farm lifestyle isn’t just about escaping fame—it’s also about instilling work ethic and practical skills in Alexander and Ella. Clooney shared a charming anecdote about teaching his children to paint a sun-damaged fence on their property, illustrating how he encourages them to engage in hands-on activities. “At first they’re taking these little, tiny brushstrokes, boop, boop, boop,” he recounted with fatherly amusement. “And I go, ‘Nooo, paint the goddamn fence.’ And then they go crazy painting the fence and they’re covered with paint and oil and stuff.” This story reveals Clooney’s parenting philosophy: letting children learn by doing and getting their hands dirty, quite literally. The image of the Hollywood star teaching his children practical skills on a French farm stands in stark contrast to the glamorous red carpets and film sets that defined much of his career, illustrating his evolution from bachelor movie star to devoted family man focused on raising well-grounded children.
While their French citizenship may be new, the European lifestyle has been central to George and Amal’s relationship from the beginning. Their love story began in Lake Como, Italy, in 2013, followed by a romantic Venetian wedding the next year. This European foundation has remained significant, with the family establishing a tradition of spending summers at their Italian villa in the Alps of northern Italy. Their connection to Europe runs deeper than just vacation homes—it represents the multicultural foundation of their family, with Amal’s Lebanese background, George’s American roots, and now their shared French citizenship. This blend of cultures offers their children a global perspective that transcends national boundaries, reflecting the couple’s cosmopolitan worldview and values.
An insider revealed to Us Weekly in August 2022 that the couple finds peace and happiness in their European lifestyle. “They’re so happy and in a very good place right now,” the source said, describing how George and Amal balance family time with romantic “date nights and drives in the countryside.” Their European life represents more than just a change of scenery—it’s a deliberate choice to create a certain kind of family environment away from the intensity of American celebrity culture. As Clooney reflects on his past friendships and current political concerns in America, his family has found their sanctuary in the European countryside, crafting a life that balances privacy, normalcy, and cultural richness. The actor who once dominated Hollywood has transformed into a father and husband who prioritizes family values over fame, finding fulfillment in a simpler, more grounded existence that spans continents and cultures.
