Topline
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a self-proclaimed political independent and centrist, publicly endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time on Sunday, announcing via his social media platforms that he will vote for Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris in the 2020 general election.
Dwayne Johnson speaks at Kevin Hart’s Hand And Footprint Ceremony At the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX … [+]
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Key Facts
“As a registered Independent for years now with centrist ideologies, I do feel that Vice President Biden and Sen. Harris are the best choice to lead our country, and I am endorsing them to become president and vice president,” Johnson said in a video released Sunday morning.
Johnson, 48, also posted a video of a recent conversation he had with Biden and Harris, in which he says of Biden, “You’ve led, in my opinion, with great compassion and heart and drive, but also soul.”
Johnson has mostly shied away from politics in years past, although he did speak at the Republican National Convention in 2000.
In 2018, it was rumored that Johnson was considering a run for president in 2020, but he stated it was not a consideration, acknowledging, “I lack the experience, I lack a lot of things.”
Yet, at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, Johnson said “I’m not ruling it out,” when asked about a presidential bid in 2024 or beyond, adding, “I’m not ruling out the idea if I could make a bigger impact somehow, or potentially surround myself with good people.”
Johnson, a former professional wrestler turned movie star, ranked No. 1 on the Forbes’ list of highest-paid actors for the second year in a row in 2020, with earnings of $87.5 million.
Key Background:
In an interview with Rolling Stone back in April of 2018, Johnson said he voted for Barack Obama twice, but chose not to vote for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in 2016. “At the time, I just felt like it was either vote for the [candidate] I thought would make a better president than the other, even though I would rather have someone else, or not vote at all,” Johnson said in the interview. “Ultimately, it was [to not vote].” However, he then added, “The next elections, in 2020, I think I’ll be a little bit more vocal in who I support.” Earlier this month, Johnson announced that he, along with his wife and two young daughters, tested positive for the coronavirus. Johnson said that the symptoms were mild for his youngest daughters, aged 4 and 2, but that he and his wife had a “rough go” with the virus. “I could tell you that this has been one of the most challenging and difficult things we have ever had to endure as a family, and for me, too, personally as well,” Johnson said. “And I’ve gone through some doozies in the past.”
Crucial Quote:
“I’ve got friends in all parties, but the one thing we can always agree on is the conversation and the dialogue, and where that conversation lands is always the most critical part,” Johnson said Sunday.
Big Number:
$23.5 Million: That’s how much Johnson is being paid for his starring role as an Interpol agent in the upcoming Netflix original film Red Notice.
Further Reading:
Dwayne’ The Rock’ Johnson endorses Joe Biden, Kamala Harris – his first public political backing (Fox News)
Dwayne Johnson Tests Positive for Coronavirus, Urging Fans to Wear Masks (NYT)
Source: Forbes – Business
