Latest news with #presidentialrace
France 24
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Hunter Biden slams Clooney on anniversary of father's campaign exit
"Fuck him. And everybody around him," Biden's younger son said in a profanity-laced interview with independent journalist Andrew Callaghan, who has 3 million followers on YouTube. "Really, do you think in middle America, that voter in Green Bay, Wisconsin, gives a shit what George Clooney thinks about who she should vote for?" Biden also said in a podcast with Jaime Harrison, former chair of the Democratic National Committee. Clooney was one of the first high-profile Democrats to publicly call on Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, just three months before the election. Biden, then 81 years old, was at the time facing growing doubts in his own camp about his health and mental acuity, after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump at the end of the June. "I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee," read the headline for Clooney's essay, published in the New York Times on July 10, 2024. The Oscar-winning actor and producer recounted having seen the president at a Hollywood fundraiser the month prior, describing him as no longer the politician he was in 2010 or 2020. "I consider him a friend, and I believe in the last four years, he's won many of the battles he's faced," Clooney wrote. "But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time." Less than two weeks later, on July 21, the president announced he was quitting the race. In the interviews released on Monday, Hunter Biden angrily remembered the events leading to the end of his father's decades-long political career. "Why do I have to fucking listen to you? What right do you have to step on a man who's given 52 years of his fucking life to the service of this country and decide that you, George Clooney, are going to take out basically a full page ad in the fucking New York Times?" he said in the Callaghan interview. Plagued for years with legal troubles and drug addiction, Hunter Biden became a favorite target of Republicans, who viewed him as the president's Achilles Heel.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Hunter Biden: F--- George Clooney
Hunter Biden unleashed on George Clooney in an expletive-laden rant, describing him as 'not a f—ing actor'. Mr Biden criticised the Academy Award winner for withdrawing his support for his father Joe Biden during the 2024 presidential race. 'F‑‑‑ him. F‑‑‑ him. F‑‑‑ him and everybody around him,' Hunter Biden told YouTube journalist, Andrew Callaghan during an interview on his 'Channel 5'. 'I don't have to be f‑‑‑ing nice. No. 1, I agree with Quentin Tarantino. F‑‑‑ing George Clooney is not a f‑‑‑ing actor. He is a f‑‑‑ing, like… I don't know what he is. He is a brand.' Hunter was referring to remarks by director Tarantino in which he said Clooney was not a 'movie star'. Clooney wrote a New York Times op-ed last July highlighting Joe Biden's mental decline and urging him to pull out of the race against Donald Trump. The piece contributed to the pressure which ultimately led Joe Biden to step down. Elsewhere in the interview, Hunter revealed that he bought crack near the White House during Mr Trump's first term as president. Hunter, 55, said he purchased the drugs in Washington DC's Lincoln Park after admitting to his doctor that he had begun drinking again shortly after his brother Beau died of cancer. 'I know it to be…sometimes an open air drug market, and I saw someone that I knew from my past life as being on the streets, a woman that I referred to as Bicycles, and I knew that it was kind of a suicidal thought,' he told Mr Callaghan. 'I said: 'Do you got any crack?' She sold me crack. And that was it.' The interview was published on the one-year anniversary of his father's withdrawal from the race for the White House. In the three-hour conversation, Hunter spoke candidly about his drug use, addressed criticism of his father from both Republicans and Democrats and shared his thoughts on Mr Trump's border crackdown, comparing it to Nazi Germany. The president's son dismissed claims that he acted as a de facto chief of staff to his father as one of a number of 'conspiracies' spread about him. The allegations are contained in Original Sin, a recently-published book by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios's Alex Thompson, chronicling the former president's mental decline and aides' attempts to cover it up. Responding to suggestions that he played a key decision role in the Biden administration, Hunter said: 'I think I spent 12 days in the White House in the last two years of the administration. I had a lot of other things going on.' Hunter has frequently clashed with Mr Tapper. The former president's son also hit out at Democratic commentators David Axelrod and Rahm Emmanuel, claiming that they want the Left to 'turn away from all values' on the issue of immigration. The two Democrats, who worked in the Obama administration, were critical of Joe Biden's decision to run for a second term. 'These guys think that we need to turn away from all values in order for us to lead.' 'I would threaten to invade El Salvador' If he were president, he would threaten to invade El Salvador in order to free US deportees detained there, Hunter said. 'I would pick up the phone and call the f—ing president of El Salvador and say, you either f—ing send them back or I'm going to f—ing invade,' he said. Hunter said any migrant who goes to extreme lengths to get into the country 'deserves to be an American'. Addressing his drug addiction, which spiralled out of control between 2016 and 2019, when he got clean, Hunter said he was drinking a bottle of vodka a day and began to make his own crack cocaine. Asked how he sourced the drug, he said: 'One of the things I don't want to do is give a how-to to any moron like myself that may think that it's a good idea.' Having tried his first drink before high school and begun experimenting with drugs in his teenage years, the former president's son said that during his period of full-blown addiction, he was 'smoking anything that even remotely resembled crack cocaine'. 'I probably smoked more parmesan cheese than anyone,' he joked. Hunter denied that a bag of cocaine found in the White House in 2023 during his father's presidency was his, after the FBI opened an investigation into the matter. 'I have been clean and sober since June of 2019. I have not touched a drop of alcohol or a drug, and I'm incredibly proud of that,' he said. 'Why would I bring cocaine into the White House and stick it into a cubby outside of the situation room in the West Wing?' The discovery of the illicit substance fuelled rumours among Maga supporters that Hunter was responsible.
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Michael Healy-Rae rules himself out of presidential race after rumours
Michael Healy-Rae has ruled himself out of the presidential race after speculation that he could make a bid for Áras an Uachtaráin. Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, the Minister of State ruled himself out. Advertisement It came after a interview with former minister Ivan Yates, who said Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race. Mr Healy-Rae said he had a "very clear focus" on serving as a TD for Kerry. When asked about rumours of a run from Michael Flatley , Mr Healy-Rae said he is 'excellent ambassador for our traditions of dance and music'. He added: "'He's a person that I know personally, and he's a very, very nice gentleman. I wish him every good luck in every endeavour that he would ever had, but you can be sure of one thing, whatever name is going to be on that piece of paper, it's not going to be me.' Advertisement In the interview, Mr Yates said: "One name I've picked up with my political antennae, who people believe would win if he ran is, believe it or not, Michael Healy-Rae. "What people said to me was, if there has to be another candidate other than Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Catherine Connolly, what about Michael Healy-Rae? "This is from talking to people from all sorts of background, when I put it to them what do you think of the mad idea that the guy with the cap would run? They immediately said to me, both rural and Dublin, 'oh if he ran, he'd win'. "The Healy-Raes are seen as doers, it's distinctive. Even second generation people in Dublin would see the merit in it, and that he has not only name recognition but a brand as well."
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Michael Healy-Rae could be 'dark horse' in presidential race, says Ivan Yates
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race, according to former minister Ivan Yates. In an interview with Mr Yates said he had initally been surprised about speculation over the Kerry TD throwing his hat in the ring in the race for Áras an Uachtaráin, however, he now believes Mr Healy-Rae would have a good chance. Advertisement "One name I've picked up with my political antennae, who people believe would win if he ran is, believe it or not, Michael Healy-Rae. "What people said to me was, if there has to be another candidate other than Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Catherine Connolly, what about Michael Healy-Rae? "This is from talking to people from all sorts of background, when I put it to them what do you think of the mad idea that the guy with the cap would run? They immediately said to me, both rural and Dublin, 'oh if he ran, he'd win'. "The Healy-Raes are seen as doers, it's distinctive. Even second generation people in Dublin would see the merit in it, and that he has not only name recognition but a brand as well." Advertisement Mr Yates, who served as minister for agriculture and now hosts the Path To Power podcast with Matt Cooper, siad Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the upcoming presidential election. When asked about whether Mr Healy-Rae would really consider a bid, Mr Yates said he had put it to Minister of State, but Mr Healy-Rae would "keep his cards close to his chest". Michael Healy-Rae is different and for him that is a big plus. "I see him as a dark horse. Only this morning I asked him for his view, one thing is certain, he will keep his cards close to his chest. A bit like Michael McDowell, he won't object to the speculation. It's always nice in politics to stay in the news, there's no downside. "I'm surprised at the high respect he has outside of Kerry, he's seen as a doer and a successful person in his own right. Advertisement "I always say it's not the same that sells, it's different that sells. "Michael Healy-Rae is different and for him that is a big plus." The fact Fine Gael have nominated Mairead McGuinness will put further pressure on Fianna Fáil to run their own candidate, Mr Yates said. He said the lack of an obvious choice is their main issue, and that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is the strongest candidate. Advertisement He also believes the fact Mary Lou McDonald has been linked with a run will bring another dimension to the race. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race, according to former minister Ivan Yates. "The big factor is now that Fine Gael are running a conventional campaign with Mairead McGuinness, Sinn Féin will have to react to that. I think Sinn Féin have taken the decision to run their own candidate instead of backing a left unity candidate. "The three choices will be Michelle O'Neill, John Finucane and Mary Lou McDonald, the strongest of those is Mary Lou in terms of driving their agenda, their brand, their statement. "She has had two goes at becoming taoiseach without making much progress, now might be the time rather than going for taoiseach again in 2029. Advertisement It would suit that strategy if she could get elected to the park. I think it is a gamechanger, if she stands it becomes a completely different election. "A lot more exciting, in terms of political capital... the stakes will be much higher." Fianna Fáil dilemma Mr Yates added: "For what can be a very moribund, personalised, abusive, esoteric contest, this will turn it into a proper national heavyweight title. With a Fine Gael and Sinn Féin player in it, Fianna Fáil cannot sit on their hands, they will need to run a candidate whether they like it or not. "Party faithful will say the only one who can win it is Micheál Martin, and that he owes it to the party to stand. "I don't see him giving up a job he's worked so hard for to be taoiseach again, I don't see him being tempted by the presidency. "It's his personal decision and I don't think he wants it. So what will Fianna Fáil do? They can't stay out though. "I originally thought there will be a desire not to give it to Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil and let them have everything, and that is an opportunity for Mary Lou. "I thought Frances Black had a great chance as a unity candidate, but that would have to have buy in from Sinn Féin." With Ms McGuinness and Ms Connolly declared as early candidates, Mr Yates believes Fianna Fáil may adopt a strategy of entering the race at a later date. "If Fianna Fáil get involved, the route of four councils for a nomination could be choked off. So the likes of Peter Casey and Ming Flanagan will not be facilitiated. "We know that Michael D finishes on November 11th, so the polling day has to be 60 days before that so some time between mid October and early November. I think Fianna Fáil have taken the view that by the time the media have done their forensic, in the weeds analysis of Mairead and Catherine they will be damaged goods, and they will play their hand late to try to scoop it. The problem is they don't have a candidate. "It's hard to know when some of them don't know themselves yet. What I'm hearing from Fianna Fáil over the last six months is when it comes to the presidency, it costs €500,000, no guarantee you'll get your 12.5 per cent vote for your money back, it can be unpredictable. Look at Fine Gael, they got 38 per cent of the vote in the 2011 general election and Gay Mitchell received 6 per cent in the presidential election." Mr Yates believes the presidential election would be more "party political" than personality driven if Mary Lou McDonald takes the Sinn Féin nomination. Mary Lou being in the running changes things as it will make it highly political, and almost tribal. He added that the Coalition parties would be desperate to keep her out of Áras an Uachtaráin, as she would likely take up an active commentary on various national issues rather than the ceremonial role some believe the President should fulfill. "Mary Lou being in the running changes things as it will make it highly political, and almost tribal. "Let the games begin. "What we're looking at now is a much more party political election. Previously it was more of a personality contest with the likes of Joe Duffy and Miriam O'Callaghan linked with bids. "It now looks like a more conventional party gun fight. They will all be more invested in it, but unlike a European election it will be very door to door, fought through the media and on debates. "I remain to be convinced that the currently declared candidates will provide the winner. "There's a fundamental dichotomy of views about the presidency. One is it's a representational role, the other is that it's to change Ireland. This is a constitutional and political row. "With someone like Mary Lou it's limitations would become even more frayed, and maybe attritional, but a lot of people would say that's a good thing. They're not in favour of an FF/FG heghemony and that in itself will be an issue upon which the public is very divided. "We live in a world of culture wars, so that will be thrown in to everything."
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Carolina Democrat says Newsom must explain 'many failures in California' before presidential run
A prominent South Carolina Democrat said Thursday that Gov. Gavin Newsom needs to explain his "many failures in California" before running for president. Per the Los Angeles Times, South Carolina attorney and former state senator Richard Harpootlian predicted that "Newsom would find it hard to find a foothold in many places in South Carolina." The former chairman of the state Democratic Party said that he struggles to see Newsom appealing to blue-collar workers. "He's a very, very handsome man," Harpootlian said. "But the party is searching for a left-of-moderate candidate who can articulate blue-collar hopes and desires. I'm not sure that's him." Harpootlian's comments came after Newsom teamed up with the South Carolina Democratic Party for two days of meetings with voters in the state. Twenty-one Democrats Who May Want To Run For The White House In 2028 Read On The Fox News App The California governor reportedly went to churches, cafés, coffee shops and community centers. During the two-day tour through South Carolina, Newsom made an effort to connect with voters, the local party and elected officials to campaign for the Democratic Party ahead of the midterm elections in 2026. The trip to the early primary state by the term-limited governor is sure to spark plenty of 2028 speculation, since Newsom is considered a potential contender for the next Democratic presidential nomination. The Times reported further that Harpootlian referred to Newsom as "just another rich guy," reacting to the speculation that Newsom could run for president. He added that Newsom "became wealthy because of his connections with heirs to the Getty oil fortune." "Harpootlian said he did not think Newsom was attuned to winning back blue-collar voters," the Times reported. Gavin Newsom Is Making A Strategic Visit To A Key Primary State, Raising Eyebrows "If he had a track record of solving huge problems like homelessness, or the social safety net, he'd be a more palatable candidate," Harpootlian said. "I just think he's going to have a tough time explaining why there's so many failures in California." After President Donald Trump's decisive victory, Democrats and media pundits began an autopsy of the 2024 election results. Some members of the Democratic Party have pointed to the party's neglect of working-class voters and overlooked key economic issues as they focused on flinging attacks on Trump. The South Carolina Democratic Party, which announced Newsom's trip last week, said it's part of their effort to bring national Democrats to parts of the Palmetto State that they say have long been overlooked and "left behind" by Republican officials. Newsom's office did not immediately respond to a request for article source: South Carolina Democrat says Newsom must explain 'many failures in California' before presidential run
