If that’s what people want: Dwayne Johnson on running for US President

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has disclosed that multiple political parties approached him last year, following a 2021 poll showing that 46% of Americans would support his presidential campaign. During his appearance as the inaugural guest on Trevor Noah's new Spotify podcast What Now? the actor and former WWE wrestler revealed that the parties contacted him in late 2022.

Johnson expressed his appreciation for the poll's results, stating, "I was really moved by that. I was really blown away and honoured." He went on to mention that the parties reached out to inquire about his interest in running for president.

“It was a big deal, and it came out of the blue,” the Baywatch actor said. “It was one after the other, and they brought up that poll, and they also brought up their own deep-dive research that would prove that should I ever go down that road [I’d be a real contender].”

Commenting on his ambivalent views on politics, Johnson offered, “It was all very surreal because that’s never been my goal. My goal has never been to be in politics. As a matter of fact, there’s a lot about politics that I hate.”

On Noah's podcast, Johnson shared that his career as a professional wrestler frequently led to him being away from his oldest daughter, Simone. He expressed his desire to avoid a similar situation with his younger children, stating, "I don't want that for my little ones now."

Johnson explained that this concern was a central topic of discussion with the relevant parties, who seemed to compare his situation with how others have managed similar challenges. “If that’s ultimately what the people would want, then of course I would consider it,” he added.

In response to the 2021 poll, the celebrity had previously posted on Instagram, "I don't think our Founding Fathers EVER envisioned a six-four, bald, tattooed, half-Black, half-Samoan, tequila-drinking, pick-up-truck-driving, fanny pack-wearing guy joining their club – but if it ever happens, it'd be my honor to serve you, the people."

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