Clooney’s ‘Good Night’ Play Feels Timely in Trump Era
George Clooney’s ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ Feels Uncannily Timely Today
George Clooney’s stage play Good Night, and Good Luck is making waves—not just for its powerful performances and record-breaking Broadway run—but for how sharply it mirrors the political atmosphere of today.
A Broadway First: Live on CNN
On June 7, CNN aired the penultimate performance of Good Night, and Good Luck live from the Winter Garden Theatre, making history as the first-ever Broadway show to be broadcast on live television. The play, based on Clooney’s 2005 film, revisits the true story of CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow’s confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare era.
The closing monologue of #goodnightandgoodluck, on the provocative value of advocacy journalism and speaking truth to power. Thought provoking. #GeorgeClooney pic.twitter.com/vte1He5xlg
— Sophie Pascal (@sophiepascalmtl) June 8, 2025
Directed by David Cromer and co-written by Clooney and Grant Heslov, the production has already received five Tony nominations and recently became the highest-grossing play in Broadway history, pulling in over $4 million in just one week.
Viewers See Alarming Parallels to Today’s Politics
It’s wild how a story set in the 1950s feels like it could’ve been written about today. Watching a journalist stand up to political fearmongering and defend the truth hits way too close to home right now. #GoodNightAndGoodLuck pic.twitter.com/HSYnHfyHXx
— Julie (Aakadewin-O Waawaashkeshi Kwe) Francella (@JulieFrancella) June 8, 2025
What stood out the most for viewers wasn’t just the performance—it was how relevant the play feels to current American politics. Many who tuned in took to social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), to express how the play echoes the state of the Trump administration.
One viewer wrote, “Stop what you’re doing and watch Good Night and Good Luck. The dialogue hits so close to home with what’s going on in Trump’s America.” Another user added, “It’s wild how relevant this show is right now. Just wow. Hope it opens some eyes.”
A Warning from the Past—And the Present
Several comments drew direct lines between Trump’s actions and those of Senator McCarthy, who notoriously led a campaign to remove suspected communists from American life. A viewer tweeted, “The new McCarthyism is alive today. Watch this and stay vigilant.”
Tell it like it is @jorgeramos. You are right, maybe we’re not supposed to take sides on a story but that does not mean we do not call out racists, misogynists and liars. That’s part of reporting the truth. #CNN #goodnightandgoodluck #journalism pic.twitter.com/gF67lbzR3o
— Rebecca Aguilar (on Blue Sky & LinkedIn) (@RebeccaAguilar) June 8, 2025
In a pre-broadcast interview with Anderson Cooper, Clooney shared his perspective, stating that America’s current political environment may be even more dangerous than McCarthyism. “Back then, it was bad,” he said. “But what we’re seeing now—with fear stretching into law firms, universities, and the targeting of students—is worse.”
