George Clooney is spearheading a last-minute fundraising push for progressive political groups as the 2026 midterm elections enter their final days, lending his star power to a celebrity-packed event in New York City.
The Oscar-winning actor will headline a table reading of “Smear,” a political comedy written by Clark Gregg, the actor known for his role in Marvel superhero films. The performance is scheduled for November 1 in New York City, giving progressive organizations one final fundraising opportunity before Election Day.
Joining Clooney for the reading will be transgender actress Laverne Cox, along with Adam Scott, Glenn Flesler, Betty Gilpin, and Shane Paul McGhie. The cast will perform Gregg’s play, which centers on a North Carolina midterms race with implications for which party controls power in Washington, D.C.
Fundraiser Targets State Legislative Races
Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The States Project and The States Forum, two nonprofit organizations focused on promoting left-wing candidates and Democratic Party policies at the state level. Both groups were founded by Daniel Squadron, a former Democratic New York State Senator who previously served as a senate aide to Senator Chuck Schumer.
Squadron launched the nonprofits alongside Adam Pritzker, a member of Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker’s family, and Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University. The organizations focus specifically on state legislative races, viewing them as crucial battlegrounds for policy influence.
“State legislatures hold tremendous power over the most important issues in our country and our democracy itself,” Squadron said. “When it comes to the integrity of our elections, making ends meet, individual rights and more, the decisions that impact Americans’ lives for the next few years all depend on ideas coming from states.”
Play Explores Disinformation Themes
In discussing the play with Deadline, writer Clark Gregg highlighted its focus on disinformation and political manipulation. The work apparently references Yuri Bezmenov, a former KGB agent who defected decades ago and spoke about Soviet strategies of spreading confusion rather than direct conquest.
“Something they talk about in the play, which is weird, is that there was this guy (Yuri) Besmanov, who was this KGB guy who defected 25 years ago, 40 years ago, and he said, ‘We’re not trying to take over your country. We’re just going to spread disinformation until no one knows what’s true, and then they’ll all hate each other,'” Gregg told the outlet. “Then you throw in AI that ramps that up to light speed, and the darkness has a whole bunch of terrifying tools now.”
The timing of the fundraiser reflects a strategic push by progressive groups to maximize their financial resources in the campaign’s final stretch. With state legislative races often receiving less attention than federal contests, organizers are betting that celebrity star power can drive donations to what they consider under-the-radar but consequential races.
Clooney’s Political Activism
The event represents another chapter in Clooney’s long history of political engagement. The actor has consistently supported progressive causes and Democratic candidates throughout his career, frequently using his platform to advocate for liberal policies and causes.
By focusing on state-level races rather than high-profile federal contests, the fundraiser reflects a growing emphasis among progressive activists on the importance of state legislatures. These bodies control redistricting, voting laws, and a range of policy areas from healthcare to education, making them strategic targets for both parties’ organizing efforts.
The November 1 performance gives attendees and donors a chance to support progressive state legislative candidates just days before voters cast their ballots in what both parties view as a critical midterm election. The outcome of these races could shape the political landscape and policy debates for years to come, particularly on issues decided at the state level.
With an ensemble cast of recognizable entertainment industry figures and a play centered on contemporary political themes, organizers are hoping to generate both financial support and public attention for state legislative contests that might otherwise fly under the national media radar.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/10/29/midterms-george-clooney-headlines-star-studded-last-minute-fundraiser-for-progressive-groups/