George Clooney isn't going to let casino owner Steve Wynn challenge his memories — or his alcohol consumption.
After Clooney and Wynn had a dinner-table spat in Las Vegas on April 23, on Friday, the billionaire told Bloomberg Television his version of the tale. Wynn told Bloomberg's Stephanie Ruhle that A-list actors like Clooney are "mollycoddled" and have had everything given to them.
"And I didn't call the president a name," Wynn said. "And George didn't call me a name. He was a little into the tequila."
Clooney says that's all false. In a statement released to People magazine, the actor takes issue with almost everything the mogul said.
Wynn didn't just call President Barack Obama an obscenity, he "bellowed" it, Clooney said, adding that Wynn used the term "several more times as the dinner came to an abrupt end." The "Monuments Men" star admits he also used the word to refer to Wynn, despite Wynn's claim that never happened.
"Again there were eight people at the table, eight witnesses," Clooney said. "I did in turn, call him the same body part, and walked out. Again he can make up whatever story he wants, but these are the facts. He said I drank 16 shots of tequila. I didn't drink one shot of tequila, not one."
Clooney also took issue with the idea that he lives in a rich man's bubble surrounded by yes-men.
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George Clooney
"I would suggest that Mr. Wynn look to his left and right and find anyone in his sphere that says anything but 'yes' to him," Clooney's statement read. "Emphatically. I did not attend a private boys' school, I worked in tobacco fields and in stock rooms, and construction sites. I've been broke more of my life than I have been successful, and I understand the meaning of being an employee and how difficult it is to make ends meet."
Wynn, Clooney said, needs to find some proper perspective on the issues facing regular Americans. "Or at least start with the fact that you can't make up stories when eight people who are not on your payroll are sitting around you as witnesses," he said.
At least one witness has come forward, and he's on Clooney's side. Rande Gerber, husband of Cindy Crawford and partner of Clooney's in Casamigos tequila company, told TMZ that no shots of the potent liquor were consumed.
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