France defends decision to grant George Clooney and his family French citizenship despite criticism

Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney were obtained French nationality because “they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to the international influence and cultural influence of France”, declared the French government on Wednesday, defending their naturalization called into question by a young French minister.

The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star of the heist film series “Ocean’s”, his wife and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, as well as their twins Ella and Alexander were announced last weekend in the Official Journal, where the decrees of the French government are published.

Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, secretary of state at the Interior Ministry, expressed fears on Wednesday that some of the Clooneys’ new French compatriots might think the star couple is getting preferential treatment. The actor only speaks what he himself describes as “horrible, horrible” French.

“The message sent is not good,” Vedrenne said in an interview with France Info. “There is a question of fairness which, in my eyes, is absolutely essential.”

President Trump increased criticism of the decision, saying France was welcome with the two-time Oscar winner, a long-time vocal critic of the American leader.

“Good news! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is unfortunately in the middle of a major crime problem due to their absolutely terrible handling of immigration, much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden,” Mr. Trump wrote on Social truth Wednesday.

He added: “Clooney got more publicity for politics than for his very few, and totally mediocre, films. He wasn’t a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who constantly complained about common sense in politics. LET’S MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021 and Clooney said it was their primary residence. Non-French residents in France have several possible routes to naturalization. It was unclear whether the 64-year-old actor had retained his U.S. citizenship. His wife, aged 47, was born in Lebanon, raised in the United Kingdom and was naturalized French under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The 8-year-old twins were born in London.

The Foreign Office said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows the naturalization of foreign nationals who contribute to France’s international influence and economic well-being.

He argued that the French film industry would benefit from the actor’s influence as a global cinema star and said that as a lawyer, Amal Clooney regularly works with academic institutions and international organizations in France.

“They have strong personal, professional and family ties with our country,” the ministry said.

“Like many French people, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney to the national community,” he concludes, giving a French touch to the actor’s first name by adding the “s” at the end.

The move was also defended by Vedrenne’s superior at the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who said he signed the naturalization decree.

“This is a great opportunity for our country,” he said.

In recent media interviews, while promoting “Jay Kelly,” Clooney said he was trying to learn French on his own using a language learning app. He said his wife and children speak the language perfectly.

“They speak French in front of me so they can say terrible things about me to my face and I don’t know,” he joked, addressing the French. broadcaster Canal+.

French media have reported that the Clooneys live part-time in their luxurious 18th-century villa outside the southern French town of Brignoles, where they can remain discreet and their children are protected from unauthorized photography under French privacy laws.

In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney said, “I was afraid of raising our kids in Los Angeles, in Hollywood culture.”

“I don’t want them to worry about the paparazzi. I don’t want them to be compared to someone else’s famous kids,” he said. Having grown up away from the spotlight in France, “they dine with adults and have to bring their own food. They have a much better life.”