George Clooney: Failure ‘not the end,’ ‘history does not move in a straight line’

'Most of the time we fail.... And the truth of the matter is, what are you supposed to do? Are you gonna not keep rolling that ball up the hill?' George Clooney asks

MANILA, Philippines – George Clooney, a known Democrat, describes the second term of United States President Donald Trump as a “difficult” time, but also says he has “great optimism that we will find ourselves in a better place.”

Speaking at Rappler’s Social Good Summit 2025 on Sunday, November 16, the Hollywood actor and activist also notes that “history does not move in a straight line.” He advises Filipinos who may be fed up with corruption in government to “keep going” because failure is “not the end.”

“Most of the time we fail…. And the truth of the matter is, what are you supposed to do? Are you gonna not keep rolling that ball up the hill?” Clooney asks.

The award-winning actor headlined Rappler’s summit along with his wife, international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. – Rappler.com