The two-time Oscar winner, who headlined a lucrative Biden fundraiser in June, writes in an essay that a new Democratic ticket could “enliven” the party at a critical moment.

George Clooney publicly pulled his support for Joe Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday, urging the White House to reconsider keeping him on the ballot.

The liberal actor, 63, penned a heartfelt essay for The New York Times, arguing that Biden should quickly step aside for the good of the Democratic Party. Clooney pointed to alarming poll numbers showing a lack of confidence in Biden following his weak performance in the June 27 presidential debate against Donald Trump.

Highlighting his long-term support for the Democratic Party, Clooney recalled co-hosting Biden’s star-studded fundraiser a few weeks ago, which he noted was the “single largest fundraiser supporting any Democratic candidate ever.”

“It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020,” Clooney stated. “He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”

Clooney expressed his deep admiration for Biden, writing, “I love Joe Biden. As a senator, as a vice president, and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in his character and morals. In the last four years, he’s won many battles.”

However, Clooney acknowledged that “the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time,” referring to the president’s age, which continues to be a major concern for voters.

Commenting on Biden’s debate performance, Clooney said, “Our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw. We’re all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that we’ve opted to ignore every warning sign.”

He noted that Biden’s primetime interview with George Stephanopoulos on July 5, aimed at reviving his candidacy, “only reinforced what we saw the week before.”

Clooney called on top Democrats — specifically Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — to encourage Biden to “voluntarily step aside.”(Within hours of the essay’s publication, Politico reported that Jeffries told House Democrats he would relay their concerns to Biden.)

According to Clooney, every lawmaker he’s spoken with is worried that Biden will not only lose in November but could also harm Democratic candidates down the ballot and potentially give Republicans full control of Congress. He suggested that some skeptical Democrats are still publicly backing Biden.

Later in his essay, Clooney expressed optimism for the party’s future if Biden steps aside, writing, “We can foresee strong Democrats stepping forward to tell us why they’re best qualified to lead and counter the concerning trends from Trump’s campaign.”

Though the Democratic National Convention is fast approaching on Aug. 19, where the party will formally nominate its candidate, Clooney insists there’s still time to hear from potential replacements like Wes Moore, Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, and J.B. Pritzker.

Clooney also urged Democrats to remain united if the ticket changes, writing, “Let’s agree not to attack one another but focus on what will make this country soar. Then we can figure it out at the Democratic convention next month.”

The actor believes Biden stepping aside could “enliven our party” and “wake up voters” who have “checked out.”

Clooney concluded his essay by expressing gratitude for Biden: “Joe Biden is a hero; he saved democracy in 2020. We need him to do it again in 2024.”

Clooney’s essay arrives as more liberal lawmakers start to break from the president. As of Wednesday, eight Democratic members of Congress have publicly called for Biden to drop out, and many more have expressed doubts, including Pelosi, who has cautiously suggested skepticism about Biden’s candidacy.

Several celebrities share Clooney’s sentiments. Author Stephen King wrote on social media, “Joe Biden has been a fine president, but it’s time for him—in the interests of the America he so clearly loves—to announce he will not run for re-election.”

Emmy winner Rob Reiner praised Clooney’s essay, writing on social media, “My friend George Clooney has clearly expressed what many of us have been saying. We love and respect Joe Biden. We acknowledge all he has done for our country. But democracy is facing an existential threat. We need someone younger to fight back. Joe Biden must step aside.”