In an unexpected turn of events, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson disclosed that he was approached by multiple political entities last year, urging him to consider a presidential candidacy. The renowned actor shared this revelation during an engaging conversation with Trevor Noah on the premiere episode of "What Now? with Trevor Noah."
Reflecting on a 2021 poll that indicated 46% of U.S. adults would support him as a presidential candidate, Noah, the 39-year-old podcast host, expressed his amazement. He pondered whether Johnson embodied the ideal leader or if the public's desperation had reached a point necessitating a forceful intervention.
Johnson, 51, admitted to being taken aback by the fervor surrounding the prospect of his entry into politics. However, he went on to drop a bombshell, unveiling that influential political figures had discreetly approached him in late 2022, earnestly encouraging him to take the idea seriously.
Detailing the encounters, Johnson disclosed, "I got a visit from the parties. They asked me if I was going to run and if I could run — and it was a big deal. And it came out of the blue, and it was one after the other."
While Johnson refrained from specifying the political affiliations or the exact number of parties involved, he emphasized that each presented the 2021 poll as evidence of his viability as a candidate. "They also brought up their own deep-dive research and data that would prove, should I ever decide to go down that road, that I would be a real contender," he added.
Expressing his bewilderment, Johnson admitted, "It was all very surreal because that's never been my goal. My goal has never been to be in politics," acknowledging a certain disdain for certain aspects of the political arena.
During discussions with party officials, Johnson found himself contemplating the potential impact on his family life, particularly concerning his three daughters, aged 5, 7, and 22. Concerns about sacrificing precious family moments weighed heavily on his mind, drawing parallels to missed milestones with his eldest daughter, Simone.
"I know what it's like to have that separation and not be there for the birthdays, not be there for the pickups, the drop-offs and everything else," he confided to Noah.
Although the former Sexiest Man Alive signaled a lack of current interest in a presidential run, he left the door ajar for future possibilities, contingent on public sentiment. "If that's ultimately what the people would want," Johnson stated with sincerity, "then of course I would consider it."
Remaining unaligned with any specific party, Johnson affirmed his status as a "political independent & centrist," recalling past endorsements for candidates from both major parties.
The phenomenon of celebrities transitioning to politics is well-documented, with figures like Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Franken, and Donald Trump successfully making the leap into governance. Johnson, adding his name to the list of potential political entrants, provides a unique and unexpected twist to the evolving celebrity-to-politician narrative.
