Trump joins criticism of Clooney's French passport

US President Donald Trump joined criticism on Wednesday of a decision to grant Hollywood star George Clooney and his family French passports, after a junior government official in Paris labelled the move a "double standard".

Oscar winner Clooney, 64, his wife Amal Clooney and their two children have become French citizens. The 'Ocean's Eleven' star, a long-term Democratic supporter and fundraiser, is a vocal critic of Trump, whose administration backs anti-immigration parties in Europe.

"Good news! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France, which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration," Trump wrote on Truth Social. The controversy follows criticism from Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior member of President Emmanuel Macron's government, who questioned the decision to award passports despite Clooney's weak command of the French language.

"Personally, I understand the feeling of some French people of a double standard," Vedrenne told France Info radio. "We need to be careful about the message we're sending." Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and the foreign ministry, however, defended the move.

French civil law states that nationality may be granted "to any French-speaking foreigner who applies for it and who contributes through their distinguished service to France's influence and the prosperity of its international economic relations".

Under new rules taking effect on Thursday, applicants will need a certificate proving they possess a level of French sufficient to enter a university. Clooney owns a property in France and has praised the country's privacy laws, saying they protect his family from media intrusion. The foreign ministry said the passports "meet the conditions set by law", adding that the family had undergone security checks, naturalisation interviews and paid the required tax stamps. It said the Clooneys contribute to France's "international influence and cultural prestige".