Matt Damon fears bullies are barracking Obama

Actor Matt Damon fears President Barack Obama has been bullied into making unpopular decisions and struggles to fight back because of his lack of military background.

Obama swept to power on a wave of hope and goodwill in 2008, but the shine has since come off his presidency amid disagreements over a national healthcare plan and the 'spying' scandal exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

However, Damon, who has been a vocal supporter of the Democrat politician for years, insists Obama is not to blame for the controversies and is trying to prove his "manhood" by taking tough action.

The Good WIll Hunting star tells the Guardian Weekend magazine, "It just seems to have taken this weird, Orwellian turn. It's surreal. I don't know where we are now... I think it's tough for guys who weren't in the military. One, their manhood is kind of challenged on some level, I imagine, and they allow themselves to get bullied. And two, they're just politically afraid of either looking soft or looking incompetent, so they overcompensate."