Maryland Gov. Wes Moore faced renewed scrutiny this week after photographs surfaced of him vacationing in Italy on actor George Clooney’s yacht.
The Daily Mail published images Monday showing Moore, dressed in swim trunks and accompanied by his wife, appearing relaxed during the overseas trip.
Damning photos burn top Democrat Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s 2028 plans to the ground as he’s busted half-naked on kingmaker George Clooney’s luxury yacht in ITALY while his ‘hellhole’ state faces crime apocalypse https://t.co/lkQk7yhjo1 pic.twitter.com/kjYYZpVYVM
— Daily Mail US (@Daily_MailUS) September 2, 2025
The governor’s presence with Clooney comes as speculation continues about Moore’s future ambitions within the Democratic Party.
Clooney, a longtime Democratic donor, has previously floated Moore’s name as a potential presidential candidate.
The timing of Moore’s trip drew criticism, particularly as his state continues to grapple with public safety concerns.
The White House issued a pointed statement to The Baltimore Sun, criticizing Moore for being abroad while Maryland residents face rising crime.
“While Maryland residents try to escape dangerous criminals in their communities, Gov. Wes Moore [sic] is attempted to escape any accountability for the out-of-control crime in his state by fleeing to Italy for a luxury getaway with Democrat elites,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said.
“Gov. Moore needs to get his priorities straight – instead of taking yacht vacations or fantasizing about his 2028 presidential bid, he needs to make Maryland safe again.”
Reporters pressed the governor’s office for details about the purpose of the trip and the identities of other individuals seen on the yacht.
The office issued a short statement but did not directly address those questions.
“The Governor paid for a trip to celebrate his wife’s 50th birthday,” Moore’s office said in a statement provided to Fox 45 News.
The photos and subsequent response added to an ongoing debate about Moore’s leadership as governor and his handling of crime in Maryland.
Critics have accused him of being absent during critical moments, pointing to Baltimore and other cities in the state where violence remains a pressing issue.
Moore, who took office in January 2023, has faced questions about balancing his state responsibilities with his growing national profile.
In recent months, he has been mentioned in political circles as a potential contender in future Democratic primaries.
Clooney’s prior endorsement of Moore as a rising figure within the party has only fueled speculation.
The incident highlights the political risks for Moore as he works to build his national image while addressing problems at home.
For now, his office has emphasized that the trip was personal, paid for privately, and intended to mark a milestone birthday for his wife.
Whether the explanation will ease concerns remains unclear, as political opponents and commentators continue to question the optics of Moore spending time on a Hollywood actor’s yacht overseas while crime and public safety remain central issues for Maryland residents.
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Half naked? He’s decently dressed for the setting.
Don’t destroy your credibility by smear jobs that are so obvious.
Do I support his policies? Of course not, but don’t expect me to jump the shark with you on this.
Clooney is an actor which means he is a know-nothing. An actor mouths words someone else wrote, moves in the way a director tells him to, and does this over and over again till that director thinks he got it right. To top that off, he couldn’t even get the job without his aunt pulling strings for him. Why anyone would listen to his opinions is beyond me.
“Paid for privately ” Sounds like someone is bribing the Governor or investing in his economic future. Another Democrat Pay to Play Skeem. It costs 250,000 a week to charter a yacht like Cloony’s.