President Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? God knows crazier things have happened.
The WWE champ turned blockbuster actor has hinted at a presidential run since 2016, when revealed his political ambitions in an interview with British GQ. (Then reiterated it in a presidentially focused American GQ article this year.) Fans have launched a grassroots movement calling for his 2020 candidacy—presumably against former reality TV star Donald Trump. Though Johnson insists a political career is not out of the question, he unfortunately won’t run in the next presidential race. But he has his eyes set on 2024.
“Realistically, as we go into 2018, when you look at my slate as we’re developing and shooting into 2019 and 2020, the slate goes deep into 2021, so it feels like the realistic consideration would be 2024,” he told Variety. Johnson went on to explain that he began to seriously consider a presidential run after more and more people expressed their support.
“Americans picked it up and there was this sentiment of, ‘We’re not joking, and we would really love the idea if you would run,’” he said. “In that, I knew I had to listen to the people and really, really think about it. That’s where I’m at right now—I’m well aware politics is not the business I’m in, so the best thing I can do is continuing to listen and learn as much as I can. I’m continuing to watch our presidency and watch how every new development is handled. I continue to watch our leaders in government, and like all Americans, I continue to be hopeful that our leaders exhibit poise, perspective and the ability to bring our country together during these tough times—which I don’t feel our presidency is currently doing—so that’s where I’m at.”
Sounds promising.
Johnson is a registered independent, and has attended both Democrat and Republican conventions, according to Variety. Though he didn’t speak on policy, he did share his thoughts on the current wave of sexual misconduct allegations in Hollywood and politics.
“I’ve shaken the hands of a few of these men, and I want to choke them out, but it’s important to stay poised right now and keep that in mind,” he said about the alleged assailants. “[…] I’m hopeful in the spirit of what we are witnessing and experiencing now—this watershed moment that is deeply impacting the business that I make my living in—but also the ripple effect and the spider web effect that is deeply impacting cultures of business around the world, even if they’re not making headlines right now. So I’m hopeful, but my hope follows the deep pain and empathy that I have for these very brave women that have come out already and continue to come out.”
