The People’s-elect? Dwayne Johnson reiterates idea to run for president
May 20, 2017, 4:11 AM
FILE - In this May 26, 2015, file photo, Dwayne Johnson arrives at the premiere of "San Andreas" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Johnson told GQ for a story published May 10, 2017, that he is seriously considering a run for president. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
Dwayne Johnson wants to be “the rock” America can lean on in tough times.
The highest paid actor in the world in 2016, according to Forbes, recently told GQ in an interview that “it’s a real possibility” he might run for president of the United States.
“A year ago, it started coming up more and more,” Johnson told GQ. “There was a real sense of earnestness, which made me go home and think ‘Let me really rethink my answer and make sure I am giving an answer that is truthful and also respectful.’ I didn’t want to be flippant — ‘We’ll have three days off for a weekend! No taxes!'”
In the interview, Johnson gave GQ insight into his journey to the top of the Hollywood charts and his beliefs about politics, government and leadership.
Johnson told GQ he considers himself a “feminist raised by strong women,” opposes a Muslim ban, supports American troops and would advocate for better mental health care.
When asked how he feels about America under President Donald Trump’s reign, he said that strong leadership was something he valued.
“With any job you come into, you’ve got to prove yourself,” he said. “And, personally, I feel that if I were president, poise would be important. Leadership would be important. Taking responsibility for everybody.”
Those who have worked with Johnson throughout the years also expressed their support for the former pro wrestler’s potential presidential bid, saying he would without a doubt win if it was something he put his heart and mind to.
“A trillion percent,” Beau Flynn, a film producer, told GQ when asked if Johnson could run for president — and win. “One hundred percent, he would win, I have no doubt. His level of commitment and his care for people would translate immediately. If he looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I want to build a campaign. I want to run for the president of the United States,’ done, and you can lock it.”
But Johnson isn’t the first celebrity to consider trying his hand at the presidency. The most recently elected president, Trump, grew his acclaim by hosting NBC’s “The Apprentice” for the first 14 seasons.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, star of “The Terminator,” was also elected governor of California in 2003.
And performer Kanye West even announced in September 2015 that he would consider running for president in 2020, too.
“Rappers are philosophers of our now, celebrities are the influencers of our now, just look at the president,” West said, according to Consequence of Sound. “(Trump) wasn’t in politics and won.”
Brittany Binowski is a senior web producer for Deseret National. You may contact her at bbinowski@deseretdigital.com or tweet her online @binowski.
