Maryland Governor Wes Moore, considered a rising Democrat figure and potential 2028 presidential candidate, is facing sharp criticism after being photographed aboard actor George Clooney’s private yacht in Italy. The trip occurred as crime and public safety concerns continue to rise in Baltimore and across Maryland. Clooney, a high-profile liberal donor, has previously promoted Moore as a serious national contender.
Images obtained by the Daily Mail show Moore and his wife relaxing on Lake Como during what Moore’s office claimed was a personal vacation to celebrate his wife’s 50th birthday. The Daily Caller confirmed the governor’s team stated the trip was paid for “out-of-pocket.” However, critics question the optics of a luxury European vacation while residents in Moore’s home state continue to face violence and lawlessness.
A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee condemned the trip, saying, “While Maryland residents try to escape dangerous criminals in their communities, Gov. Wes Moore is attempting to escape any accountability for his failed leadership by fleeing to Italy for a luxury getaway with Democrat elites.” The statement concluded with a call for Moore to “get his priorities straight” and focus on making Maryland safe again.
Delegate Mark Fisher, a Republican member of Maryland’s General Assembly, also criticized the trip. Fisher said the image of Moore relaxing on a billionaire’s yacht while citizens endure crime-ridden streets in cities like Baltimore is “so elitist it could have come straight out of a Dickens novel.” He urged Moore to address the public safety crisis instead of mingling with wealthy Hollywood donors overseas.
Moore has denied intentions to run for president, though his high-profile appearances and growing national exposure suggest otherwise. The Washington Examiner reported that Moore’s Italian retreat has only intensified speculation about his political ambitions. Critics argue that his actions reflect a disconnect from the everyday struggles of working Americans, particularly those living in urban areas devastated by progressive crime policies.
