This is possibly the funniest boy-on-boy drama of the year. It’s like the Selena Gomez-Taylor Swift dramz, only for the over-50 set. Apparently, George Clooney was recently in Las Vegas to promote his Casamigos tequila (the brand that he started with Rande Gerber). George was at some kind of private dinner with assorted friends, business associates and Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn. Apparently, Wynn is pretty conservative and anti-Obama. And y’all know Clooney is BFFs with President Obama. So hilarity and boy drama ensued. What makes this particularly hilarious is that we’re actually hearing from Clooney and Wynn themselves. Like, they’re getting into a pissing contest by issuing statements to a Las Vegas newspaper. It’s the over-50 equivalent of a Twitter rant.
Hotel-casino developer Steve Wynn and actor George Clooney offered vastly different accounts Tuesday of a dinner that ended in verbal fireworks. Wynn said Clooney “got drunk” from downing tequila shots and stormed off after delivering an F-bomb.
The two-time Oscar winner issued the following statement in an email sent through his publicist: “There were nine people at that table … so you can ask them. … Steve likes to go on rants. He called the president an a–hole … that is a fact … I said the President was my longtime friend and then he said ‘your friend is an a–hole.’ … At that point I told Steve that HE was an a–hole and I wasn’t going to sit at his table while he was being such a jackass. And I walked out. There were obviously quite a few more adjectives and adverbs used by both of us. Those are all the facts. It had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with character.”
The incident occurred two weeks ago at Botero restaurant, inside Wynn’s Encore hotel. Clooney was in Las Vegas to promote his Casamigos tequila during the Wine &Spirits Wholesalers of America convention.
Clooney and his Casamigos business partners Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman had joined Wynn and a group that included Wynn’s wife, Andrea Hissom, Larry Ruvo, founder of Southern Wine &Spirits, and two executives with celebrity powerhouse Creative Artists Agency.
Dinner had ended, and “the place was empty,” Wynn said. Clooney took exception, Wynn said, when one of the CAA execs told a joke about former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev.
“He stood up and threw a hissy fit” at the CAA guy, Wynn said in a telephone interview, his first comments on the dust-up. “Then he sat down and started talking about the Affordable Care Act, and that’s when I spoke up,” said Wynn, a frequent critic of Obamacare. “He didn’t like that either. I think my discussion about the Affordable Care Act was the straw that broke the camel’s back. When he’s drinking, he considers himself a close personal buddy of the president. He got up and said, ‘I don’t have to listen to this (expletive) stuff. The only person who got excited at the table was George, and he ran off to another bar.”
Clooney’s partners were “mortified,” Wynn said. “Clooney’s fun to be with when he’s sober,” Wynn added. “If you have a chance to drink with him, you want to get there early, and don’t stay late. Everybody who’s in my business, the casino business, knows to take actors with a grain of salt.”
[From The Las Vegas Review-Journal]
Sounds like two drunks fighting about politics. Because that never happens. It’s the way everything is playing out in the media that is SO GREAT. After the Review-Journal published this story yesterday, Page Six got a “leak” from Clooney’s camp. A source told Page Six:
“George and Rande were in Vegas for a party for their Casamigos tequila and had an early dinner with Wynn and other associates. Things turned nasty as Wynn was provoking George, talking about politics. At first George just wasn’t responding. He just sat there politely listening,” our source said. But “Steve kept pushing and pushing, then started raising his voice. George still didn’t respond, he really didn’t want to get into it.” But finally, Wynn figured out how to push the “Gravity” star’s buttons. “Discussing Obamacare, Steve called Obama ‘an a - - hole,’ ” said our source. “George responded, ‘President Obama is my friend, don’t talk about him like that.’ ” Wynn then shot back, ‘Your friend is an a - - hole!’ George glared at Steve and said, ‘No! You are an a - - hole, and I’m not going to sit here any more and listen to this!’ ”
The sources said while Clooney stuck up for the president, he pointed his finger at Steve, and “Wynn’s three goon-like bodyguards immediately loomed up behind Rande and George.” But “before Wynn’s bodyguards could touch them, George and Rande got up and walked out.”
What really happened? I have no idea. I have no doubt that tempers flared and harsh words were spoken. The thing is… I can fault Clooney for a lot of things, but he seems pretty even-tempered about politics. What I mean is that he’s not the type to froth at the mouth and start screaming at people who don’t agree with him. But he is the kind of person to call Steve Wynn an “a—hole” to his face.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I always felt that Clooney can be a mean drunk. This cannot be good publicity for him – getting into a pissing match with a powerful billionaire. Stay tuned.
Being caught drunk is never good publicity, but Clooney won’t get much disagreement about his assessment of Wynn from perfectly sober folk. Money isn’t everything.
Sounds to me like Steve Wynn is trying to be budget Donald Trump.
ps: He needs to sue the doctor who effed up his face
sounds like, and also looks that way. ORANGE!!!
I have to admit, the Wynn in Vegas is my favourite hotel, so much so that I got married there last year. Our wedding photographer said Wynn is a major asshole and that he’s terrifying up close because of his excessive surgeries.
Trumps Casinos are awful, one thing. Wynn knows how to do is create beautiful hotel-Casinos.
His face is messed up though. Yikes bad surgery.
Nah. From everything I’ve heard over the years, Clooney is the fun, happy-go-lucky kind of drunk. I don’t doubt that Wynn baited him and Clooney eventually lost his cool.
Clooney’s skin tone shows he abuses alcohol. He doesn’t look well. Maybe the key is to lay off the booze. I don’t care for Wynn. What moron puts his hand through a Picasso?
Assholes, booze, and politics….been there, done that! The hangover is rarely worth it!
+1
Lol! At least he won’t have to apologise the next day. He was dead on about Wynn.
That must be some bad ass tequila.
Lol sounds more like a-hole tequila. 😉
Lol tokillya.
It’s a ridiculous but entertaining story.
Mmmm hmmm! They both sound like fools here.
Yes, they both sound like two entitled yet entertaining pieces of work.
I’m sorry, but this is freaking hilarious and petty drama. It sounds like two self-important first year law students getting into a pissing match. Wynn is a noted asshole and I’m sure he provoked George, but it’s ridiculous that George is blatantly spinning his side to Page Six and talking to the papers. Seriously though…unless you are bffs or family it is really not a good idea to get into politics (and even then not always in the case of close friends or family). Also, republican or democrat or libertarian…I find it disrespectful to call the President an assho*le regardless of how you feel about him in a room full of people.
Really? That sensibility towards the president must be an American thing. Most European politicians have been called much worse.
It depends. If its your boy in the white house, then you tell everyone to respect the office, even after he’s put his foot in his mouth. We got a lot of that during George Bush’s time in office. And remember he put his foot in his mouth almost everyday (and twice on Sunday). Oh and those fake, clearing the ranch photo-ops were hilarious. But Fox news would remind us that he’s the President of the United States.
Jump to President Obama and they (Fox right wing media) can’t disrespect him fast enough. Now all the ‘respect the office’ has flown out the window. I think this is what George was trying to (drunkenly) tell Steve Wynn. And for a guy who has gotten he fair share of government help over the years (welfare for billionaires), you’d think he’d have nothing but good things to say about President Obama. But then, most billionaires are under the impression that their welfare is not the same as Betty Sue and her four and a half kids.
I strongly dislike President Obama but still think it is disrespectful to call him an a-hole or even just Obama without the title. Sadly, I am beginning to think I’m in the minority.
It may be a bit different if you are on a texting/first name basis with the president, you know?
@Dame Snarkweek
That’s a good point in that George and President Obama are friends (George even had a fundraiser at his house in Studio City) so that makes Wynn even worse in my opinion. I’m a die-hard Democrat but if I’m in a group of people who all have different political beliefs I would never call someone an asshole and would try and avoid politics….which is why I think Steve Wynn was wrong to start the fight.
That’s Fox News logic for you, Decora.
I was no fan of George W., but there were plenty of substantial issues to go after him on without resorting to “asshole” or similar crude attacks on his character. I had too much respect for the office to go there, even if he and his cronies didn’t respect it like they should have.
I meant Delorb. Sorry, my autocorrect gave you a new name!
And there are substantial issues to go after Obama. The same is true on the right and left. Fox may disrespect Obama, but MSBC ( the equivalent to fox but for the left) turns a blind eye to obama’s failings .
That has happened on both sides. People just don’t like the one they agree with to be bothered.
As an independent, I am an equal opportunity mocker. I get the best seat in the house.
The biased reporting of American media is quite fascinating.
Wynn has a terrible reputation, but it sounds like these two deserve each other. The only people I feel sorry for is anyone who had to overhear this petty boy fight.
This is so funny!
Whatever. I like Clooney 😀
Team Clooney.
Always team Clooney. I’d defend a friend and certainly stand up for my politics.
Team Tequila
Every politician ever is an a-hole. They wouldn’t be where they are if they weren’t.
And likewise I think all A-list Hollywood actors and type A entrepreneurs are a-holes. They too would not be where they are if they were not.
lol!
Your both right.
This story is brilliant. I love mad Clooney. He’s so much sexier than regular Clooney.
The whole thing sounds silly. However, if person A tells person B that he’s personal friends with person C, I think it’s really rude and over the line for person B to then call person C an a-hole. At that point you should just shut up, or agree to disagree. I don’t blame George for leaving.
Like Clooney is really close personal friends with BHO. Please. Clooney arrogance at it’s finest.
Right. I thought the remark about being close friends with Obama was barf-worthy. I’m just saying you don’t call someone’s friend (real or imagined) an a-hole. That crosses the line to me. You can say how you don’t like his policies, or whatever, but once Wynn started getting obscene and personal, I don’t blame Clooney for leaving.
That was Wynn’ characterisation of the conversation. I wouldn’t trust him, sober or drunk. Clooney may not be a bestie, but he probably is tight enough to be considered a good friend (basketball games, and what have you) by now.
Team Clooney. He’s not known to be an ahold, Winn is.
I was going to say. Wynn is such a world class @$$hole I think Queen Elizabeth might be moved to call him an @$$hole to his face.
(screetches to a halt halfway down the page) The Queen would NEVER demean herself by calling anyone an @$$hole – now an arse***e however is another matter (it’s the received pronunciation wot does it) if she’s ever heard of this person – which she probably hasn’t – he’s not hugely recognisable on this side of the pond 🙂
What makes you say he’s a dishonorable scumbag? What has he lied about? Do you really think he is stupid?
He is finally starting to look old to me. How old is Clooney?
I won’t say how I feel about Obama, let’s just say I never voted for him. That said, you don’t call our President an a*shole. You just don’t. You can disagree with everything he has done, stands for and what you are afraid the country will look like when he is finally done, but don’t cheapen your argument by name calling. Makes you sound ignorant. How can anyone have a discussion with you if you call names like that and not state facts?? Ugh Disrespectful. 🙁
Jesus, really?
Well, my prime minister is an arrogant prick. He’s a pretty good prime minister, but an arrogant prick.
I’ve heard worse things said about pretty much any European politician.
Thank you for proving my point. WHY is he a prick? EXPLAIN without name calling like an adult. That’s what I’m talking about. Sounds like my point is over your head tho so no more from me to you. Have a wonderful day.
i can’t imagine anyone in the uk being as kind as “asshole” if they wanted to talk trash about a politician, the prime minister especially. the “respect the office” idea seems peculiar to me, but perhaps it’s an american thing.
that being said, i would be pretty offended if someone called a friend or acquaintance of mine an asshole. i’m with clooney on this one.
Tatjana, I completely agree. The “respect the office” idea just isn’t a thing in most of Europe.
My British friend say far nastier thing about Cameron. They even call him a C**T ( shocking, I know 😀 )
Americans seem more idealistic with their politics. When they vote they seem to actually believe the caditate is good, instead of choosing the lesser of two evils like most people I know.
And the ones I’ve spoken to seem to trust their government, which is funnyconsidering US governmetn proved to be among the most untrostworthy ones.
If you oppose the use of the word (or any other insult) in general, that is just fine and makes you a very respectful and nice person. But just for politicians? The title makes them not better than your next door neighbor and sometimes they deserve to be called out. Not that I agree with this billionaire guy (that I never ever heard of) about Obama.
The big thing I learned over years of political activism — and I learned this as a fourteen year old — is never NEVER raise your voice, no matter how much someone provokes or insults you. Never get personal. Ever. This is precisely where things start to go downhill. I work with Planned Parenthood now, and they constantly review with us the finer points of the art of handling people who want nothing more than to see you lose it. Sorry Clooney, you are acting like an amateur. The best thing for you to have done would be to let it go or silently leave. Why was Wynn even there? Anyway to have him coldly escorted away from your table?
True. Why was Clooney there? Wynn’s reputation is worth leaving the room for, and never setting foot in any of his establishments.
Thank you for your work with PP. I worry about you folks, with all the violent crazies trying to shut down women’s health care.
Yes I agree, I was always taught the fastest way to lose any kind of argument is to lose your temper…the other side automatically wins…
Hey I am Team Clooney on this one. He asked him to stop since he is friends with Obama. Steve Wynn is a dick.
Oh yea… Wynn is a big dickhead.
But I just realize that Steve Wynn must have used the same doctor as Joan Rivers for that face work.
Geez, that is not attractive. At all.
If I had that kind of money. I sure as hell would not have gotten a budget face job. Or a orange spray on tan.
A lot of thin skin here. Two cranky old guys disagree about politics. Meh.
George seems to be in the middle of these things.
wonder why
I get the feeling he likes to needle people. I’d be interested to hear what was said before Wynn’s comments. Granted, Wynn is a notorious jerk, but I think Clooney gave as good as he got.
I love George (despite his practice of hiring girlfriends), but I totally believe he got drunk and belligerent. I can’t wait until President Obama’s term is over (not that his replacement will be any better), but you should never call the leader of your country an a-hole. I don’t care who’s in office and whether or not you voted for him, free speech be damned. George and Steve Wynn should agree that they both acted like a-holes and go back to counting their money.
So this asshole millionaire was whining about the healthcare act and calling the President names over it? Yeah, I’d have walked out as well. Don’t have time for people like that.
Obama is not your friend, George. ScarJo made this mistake years ago by calling him a friend. Obama ain’t here for friends.
I thought that was hilarious, because now we know who A list movie stars mention when they want to name drop.
I doubt he would consider her a friend. A friend of the campaign, maybe. Clooney, on the other hand…when you’ve been to each other’s homes and have socialised together numerous times, at the President’s invitation, I would say they probably are good friends. Not best or very close, but good.
Have some respect George….the guys freakin old and has paid his dues and is a mega millionaire, or is it billionaire. It’s oh so easy to talk politics when you stinkin rich and famous too. Shut it George and just keep your sexy mouth shut and give us the Clooney look in photos and in movies. I don’t want to hear your views….I just wanna look at ya.
Wynn had a lot to do with dismantling and selling off the old MGM studios, which included the destruction of the historic MGM backlot. It could have been turned into an attraction like Universal or sold to another studio for use as a backlot, but he was just into the money. There was a lot of anger at the time about that. People were trying to save the backlot, including Debbie Reynolds. He is not that well regarded.
That wasn’t Wynn that was Kirk Kerkorkian, billionaire owner of MGM Studios and MGM Casino corp.
Not sure what’s so hilarious about it. Wynn was trying to provoke Clooney and he did. Clooney rightfully called him an asshole and got up and left. Team Clooney. If the situation had been reversed and Clooney was the one insulting Reagan or Bush, the media would have been up in arms, demanding an apology. But because it’s Obama, all propriety and respect just goes right out the window.
If we don’t like the President, we’re supposed to say “He’s not MY President “….but we don’t call him an as*hole.
Ouch. I would much rather someone call the president an as*hole than use the “not MY president” line. The whole point of elections is that we come together as a group to choose our leaders, and that sometimes the results aren’t what we would have liked them to be. The president is MY president even when the president is someone who I abhor.
@ LunchComa – I completely agree. I was being sarcastic about the people who claimed Bush was not *their* President. I always found that comment to be against the spirit of US elections. I didn’t vote for Obama, but he is still my President.
I’m always amazed at how people cannot just agree to disagree about politics without getting nasty (not on this site, but with people in day to day life).
Ah, sorry, Inconceivable! It’s sometimes hard to tell jokes on the internet!
@LunchComa – no need to apologize. I should have stated it was sarcasm. I don’t write sarcastic comments well. ;). PS- I love your name!!!
If you live in the U.S., he’s you’re President, like it or not.
If you’re a U.S. citizen, the President IS your president, like it or not. You most certainly are not “supposed to say ‘he’s not MY President’.” That statement is no different than flat out calling the man an a-hole – they’re both disrespectful terms. I voted for McCain and Romney, but Mr. Obama is my president. I voted for Kerry in 2004, but George W. Bush was my president until he left office.
The Cloon was likely stiff and babbling on about Obama-Care. Wynn probably got tired of listening to it and decided to provoke him.
Wynn probably isn’t concerned about antagonizing Clooney but the IRS could make things difficult for him.
Yeah Tippy. Becuz Wynn, who has had a rep for decades of being a terrifyingly evil douchebag is undoubtedly the good guy here…and Clooney, who has a lifelong rep of being devoted to his friends, an easy-going generous boss, and a person who always stands up for the little guy, is the bad guy here. Yeah. Riiiiiight.
There is an old quote, “That politics make strange bedfellows.”I think Wynn and Clooney are the bedfellows.
Never in my 50 years of life have I seen this country so damned politicized. People have become outright intolerant of views that differ from their own. The minute their delicate ears hear something they disagree with, their minds immediately close, their mouths immediately open and the dissent is shut down with a laundry list of insidious assumptions, accusations, exaggerations, lies and even death threats. When did we all become so close-minded, thin-skinned and obscenely arrogant and righteous? Just because someone sees the world differently than I do doesn’t make them a bad person, a stupid person, an ignorant person or any other prejorative one would ascribe. It simply means they aren’t living their life in my pair of shoes. I truly don’t know what’s wrong with people anymore and I take morbid comfort in the fact that, at age 50, I only have a limited amount of time left to see how much worse it’s going to get.
I really agree with all of your words. Things have gotten progressively worse,and this last election was the worst I have ever seen for complete intolerance of opposing views. It has gotten to the point that I am tense and uncomfortable if someone brings up politics, because, as you said, people don’t see you as someone who disagrees with them, they see you as evil, unAmerican, unChristian, stupid, lazy or whatever. It’s so unproductive and has resulted in our leaders being the same way and we are getting nothing done. I hope it will turn around before we die.
Actually, it’s the other way around. It is our politicians (all of them, no exceptions) who have politicized everything and we have taken the bait out of sport, boredom, gullibility (take your pick). Many will say they do this – pitting us against each other – to gin up support for their re-elections. That’s part of it. The other part is to create distraction. By fabricating bogeyman issues and getting us all lathered up about them, they succeed in distracting us from what they are really doing. For example, Democratic politicians will demonize the rich and Wall Street to get us all bitching about them, while they turn around and dine with them with their hands out. Republican politicians will wax hysterical about “Big Brother” to get us all worked about that, while they turn around and gleefully sign on to more regulations. It’s not so much that people are playing politics. It’s that they are being played – and don’t even realize it.
Well, certainly you make an excellent point. What can be done, do you think?
Apparently, rich old men crave the Orange look. They look like oversized, shriveled up Oompa Loompas.
This sounds like a smoke screen from Camp Clooney. This argument took place over a week ago- suddenly it’s all over the press. Clooney is releasing e-mail messages via his agent, giving his side of the story to the press….what is Clooney’s camp trying to sneak under the radar??
George is marrying his female look-a-like, the rich ugly chick. http://www.people.com/article/is-george-clooney-engaged-to-amal-alamuddin