{"id":2528218,"date":"2026-01-01T21:48:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T02:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/france-pushes-back-against-criticism-over-clooneys-citizenship-gift\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T21:51:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T02:51:00","slug":"france-pushes-back-against-criticism-over-clooneys-citizenship-gift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/france-pushes-back-against-criticism-over-clooneys-citizenship-gift\/","title":{"rendered":"France pushes back against criticism over Clooneys&#8217; citizenship gift"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffrance-pushes-back-against-criticism-over-clooneys-citizenship-gift%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2528218&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The French government defended its decision to grant citizenship to George and amal Clooney after criticism that the couple received special treatment. A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >junior interior ministry official<\/a>, Marie-Pierre vedrenne, said the move sent a bad message about fairness, but officials responded that the Clooneys &#8220;contribute, through their distinguished actions, to France&#8217;s international influence and cultural outreach.&#8221; The couple bought a home in France in 2021 and say it is their primary residence; they have 8-year-old twins born in England and said they chose France to escape paparazzi. French law allows naturalization for foreigners who boost the country&#8217;s international profile or economic interests,and the government argued the film industry and academic\/international organizations would benefit from the Clooneys&#8217; presence. President Trump mocked the new citizenship on Truth Social, and George clooney &#8211; who had endorsed Joe Biden for 2024 but withdrew that endorsement after a debate &#8211; was a focal point of the controversy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">France defends granting Clooneys citizenship following Trump mockery<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2452688\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The French government has defended its decision to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/citizenship\">grant citizenship<\/a> to U.S. citizen <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/george-clooney\">George Clooney<\/a> and his wife, Amal Clooney, a British and Lebanese citizen, following President Donald Trump&rsquo;s criticism of the pair and a French official&rsquo;s accusation that the two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/companies-that-donated-to-gov-gavin-newsom-to-help-with-coronavirus-were-rewarded-with-no-bid-state-contracts\/\" title=\"Companies That Donated To Gov. Gavin Newsom To Help With Coronavirus Were Rewarded With No...Bid State Contracts\">received preferential treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Clooneys recently locked in their <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/france\">French<\/a> citizenship, the couple announced in late December. The decision to award the Clooneys citizenship outside of normal immigration practices upset Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the French Interior Ministry.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4393665\/sadiq-khan-star-of-david-london-nye-fireworks\/\">London mayor denies removing Star of David from fireworks show<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4393661\/iran-protests-economy-inflation\/\">At least six killed in Iran as protests over hurting economy spread<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4393371\/trump-new-year-benjamin-netanyahu-mar-a-lago\/\">Trump rings in the new year with Netanyahu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The message being sent is not good,&rdquo; Vedrenne told news outlet France Info. &ldquo;There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In a statement issued Wednesday, the French government said the Clooneys &ldquo;contribute, through their distinguished actions, to France&rsquo;s international influence and cultural outreach.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The actor, 64, and his human rights lawyer wife, 47, bought a home in France in 2021. The two have 8-year-old twins who were born in England.<\/p>\n<p>They have said their French home is their primary residence, though French media have reported that it is their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/no-politics-public-school-in-colorado-sees-huge-growth-in-just-one-year\/\" title=\"\u2018No Politics\u2019 Public School In Colorado Sees Huge Growth In Just One Year\">part-time home<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Clooneys said their decision to raise their children in France was in an effort to be out of the paparazzi&rsquo;s reach.<\/p>\n<p>The French Foreign Ministry has maintained that it was within its legal right to grant citizenship to the Clooneys under a French law that permits foreign nationals to be naturalized if they contribute to France&rsquo;s international influence and economic well-being.<\/p>\n<p>The same department stated that France&rsquo;s movie industry would benefit from Clooney&rsquo;s work as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/8-hollywood-celebrities-who-actually-back-the-blue\/\" title=\"8 Hollywood Celebrities Who Actually Back The Blue\">movie star<\/a> and his wife&rsquo;s involvement with academic and international organizations in the country.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump sarcastically cheered on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/travel-influencer-couple-tragically-dies-after-wife-attempts-to-rescue-husband-and-also-perishes\/\" title=\"Travel influencer couple tragically dies after ... attempts to rescue husband and also perishes\">couple&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s new citizenship.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4393626\/mamdani-democratic-socialist-big-government\/\">MAMDANI VOWS TO GOVERNMENT AS &lsquo;DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST&rsquo; AND EMBRACE BIG GOVERNMENT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Good News! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration, much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden,&rdquo; Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social.<\/p>\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code><iframe src=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/115816402893182666\/embed\" class=\"truthsocial-embed\" style=\"max-width: 100%; border: 0\" width=\"600\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><script src=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/embed.js\" async=\"async\"><\/script><\/code><\/pre>\n<p>Clooney had endorsed former President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential campaign but pulled his endorsement of the Democrat after a poor performance during a debate against Trump.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>France backs Clooneys&#8217; citizenship amid Trump jibes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2655,"featured_media":2528219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25364335318340.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[54416,5777,34524],"class_list":["post-2528218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-amal-clooney","tag-france","tag-george-clooney"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25364335318340.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2655"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2528218"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2528222,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528218\/revisions\/2528222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2528219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2528218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2528218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2528218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}