Less than 20 years ago, back when when Erykah Badu was still the love of Common’s life, it would have seemed crazy—ridiculous, even—that an actor (especially an action actor) would go on record talking about seriously running for president.
But since we’ve had Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of the country’s biggest state (and let’s be clear, the only reason Arnie didn’t run for president was that he wasn’t born in this country) and a reality-show carnival barker as the commander in chief ... well, let’s just say anything’s possible. (And we can now be clear that Ronald Reagan wasn’t just some fluke.)
And so, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson—the black-Samoan former pro wrestler of the Fast and the Furious franchise, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Moana movie fame, as well as “Tyrese beefs” and Ballers (the last two should preclude him from showing his face outside, much less running for the land’s highest office)—said in an interview published in Variety on Thursday that he would “100 percent consider” running for president, but it would most likely be in 2024 (not 2020 as first reported), because he has to make that Hollywood skrilla first.
“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 said.
Johnson said that it was the people who really made him consider the move. On Saturday Night Live in May, he first touted the possibility of a run:
“It was never something that I trumpeted and beat my chest and ever said publicly, ‘This is what I’m going to do,’ but as that story picked up, 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 the interview, the Rock also spoke his mind on the current administration.
“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,” Johnson added.
As for his party affiliation, Johnson has attended both Republican and Democratic national conventions in the past and says he is a registered independent.