George Clooney threw the ultimate baller's dinner for President Obama -- but for some reason Billy Crystal wasn't exactly thrilled on the way out. Must be the $40k tab.

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Barack Obama LOVES George Clooney ... not in an "I think we should get married but the law won't allow us" way ... but he LOVES George Clooney ... and last night, he showered the actor in jokes and praise at a super-fancy fundraiser in Hollywood.

It all went down at Clooney's mansion -- where 150 of George's closest and richest friends paid $40k-a-plate ... which will all go towards the Obama campaign. The event also raised several million in donations ... resulting in a $15 mil take for the night.

But when it came time for Obama to address the crowd, he instantly brought up his famous image from the Hope poster ... which was taken while he was sitting next to Clooney at an event in 2006.

"This is the first time that George Clooney has ever been photo-shopped out of a picture," Obama joked ... adding, "Never happened before, never happen again."

Obama then thanked the crowd for their contributions ... saying, "We raised a lot of money because people love George ... they like me; they love George."

Then came even more praise -- "[George] seems to occupy a constant state of grace, and uses his extraordinary talents on behalf of something truly important."

As for the food -- the event was catered by Wolfgang Puck ... who served up artichoke salad followed by roasted duckling "Peking style" with tiny buns, a duo of lamb and beef cheek with potatoes and Brussels sprouts, and sweet corn tortelloni.

The party was packed with famous people -- including Billy Crystal, Robert Downey Jr., Barbra Streisand, Byron Allen, Jack Black, Salma Hayek, Tobey Maguire ... and of course Clooney's GF Stacy Keibler.

Crap's getting REAL at Chez Clooney -- the LAPD Bomb Detection K-9 unit just showed up in full force.

As we reported, George Clooney's L.A. mansion is on mega-lockdown today while POTUS Barack Obama drops by for a $40,000-a-person fundraising event.

Law enforcement sources tell us, the U.S. Secret Service, the LAPD (including a special Counter Terrorist Unit), as well as the California Highway Patrol will all be present.

Wolfgang Puck and his band of merry caterers have ARRIVED at George Clooney's house for the ginormous Obama fundraiser tonight -- and they're already carrying in trays of delicious, fancy-people food.

Among the delectables -- racks of meat, an assortment of sauces, apples, cherries, watermelon, an array of breads, Evian water, and beer. Delicious, delicious beer.

As for what brews -- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ... and Obama's favorite ... Bud Light.

As we first reported, the Spago impresario was hired to feed the 150 people who are each shelling out $40,000 to rub elbows with Obama at Clooney's pad. We're told the food's expected to be "better than the Oscars."

Wolfgang and Co. are under orders to keep everything top secret.

George Clooney's L.A. home is getting the Fort Knox treatment for his big Obama fundraiser tonight -- because TMZ has learned, security's so tight ... even the back-up has back-up.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the U.S. Secret Service will be getting help from the LAPD as well the California Highway Patrol to keep POTUS safe at the event.

We're told the LAPD is even planning to bring in its special Counter Terrorist Unit -- Jack Bauer style.

But that's not enough for Mr. Clooney -- who we're told has taken things a step further ... hiring a special security team to oversee his own personal safety.

As for specific security measures being taken for the event -- we're told roads will be closed off, bomb-sniffing dogs will be prowling, and plain clothes officers will be on the lookout.

Oh yeah, there's also "air support" -- whatever that means.

As we reported, the party's gonna be awesome -- Wolfgang Puck himself will be catering the $40,000-a-plate affair ... and 150 bigwigs are expected to be in attendance.

Bottom line -- crash another party.

When you're as famous as George Clooney, throwing a mega-fundraiser for someone as famous as the leader of the free world, you want a caterer as famous as Wolfgang Puck.

TMZ has learned ... the Spago impresario has been hired to feed the 150 people who are each shelling out $40,000 to rub elbows with Obama at George Clooney's house this Thursday.

Our sources say Wolfgang and company have signed a confidentiality agreement and have been told in no uncertain terms to treat the event as top secret. 

We're told there will be a special menu -- not the standard Wolfgang catering -- and, as one source put it, "The food is going to be a lot better than the Oscars" -- Wolfgang caters the Governor's Ball that follows the academy awards.

It was an A-list beautiful people power summit as George Clooney and Stacy Keibler enjoyed a double date with supermodel Cindy Crawford and her handsome husband Rande Gerber at Craig's restaurant in West Hollywood on Thursday.

In related news, gorgeous people eat!

Following in the footsteps of his famous former co-star ... Noah Wyle has just been arrested during a political protest in Washington D.C.

Wyle, along with more than 100 members of the group ADAPT, were busted while trying to convince Congress not to cut Medicaid.

Wyle and ADAPT believe cuts in Medicaid spending would force many elderly people and people with disabilities into nursing homes ... instead of being able to receive treatment at their normal residences.

Just last month, Wyle's former "E.R." co-star George Clooney was arrested in D.C. for participating in a protest outside of the Sudanese embassy.

Clooney -- always setting the trend.

You're George Clooney and you've just been arrested in Washington, D.C. during a protest. You get one phone call and you know EVERYONE. So who do you call? WHO DO YOU CALL???

George Clooney just bailed out of jail after being arrested for crossing a police line this morning in Washington D.C.

His bond -- about as cheap as it gets -- $100. 

Clooney and others were protesting in front of the Sudanese Embassy, voicing dismay over the killing of innocent men, women, and children. Clooney was arrested by U.S. Secret Service after he refused to move away from the protected area around the Embassy.

In all ... 15 men were arrested, including George's dad Nick as well as a congressman, and 2 women.

Moments after he was released, George was asked about his ultra-short stint behind bars -- and he joked, "Really rough you can imagine ... Have you ever been in a cell with these guys?"

11:30 AM PST -- Clooney just bailed out ... for $100.

8:45 AM PST -- Clooney and his dad were arrested for crossing a police line ... which is a misdemeanor offense.

Father and son were arrested by the uniformed division of the U.S. Secret Service ... but he's currently being booked into a D.C. police station.


George Clooney and his father Nick have been arrested in Washington, D.C. during a protest over the Sudan crisis.

Clooney was leading a protest in front of the Sudanese embassy in D.C. when he was hauled away by secret service agents.


Clooney's publicist Stan Rosenfield tells TMZ, "They were protesting the violence committed by the government of Sudan on its own innocent men, women and children. They were demanding they allow humanitarian aid into the country before it becomes the largest humanitarian crisis in the world."

Sources connected with George tell us he feels good about the arrest because it puts the spotlight on the crisis. Moments before the arrest, George was mobbed by reporters (below) -- claiming, he was protesting to raise awareness about the "Sudanese government committing atrocities on their own people."


We're told a dozen people got arrested including congressmen, leaders of the human rights community, Sudanese citizens, Martin Luther King III and George's father ... Nick Clooney.

Clooney recently shot a short documentary about the situation in Sudan, which he released on EnoughProject.org. WARNING -- Video contains VERY graphic content.