If you smelllll ... what the White House is cookin'?
Dwayne Johnson might be asking that very question one day soon if he follows through with a potential run for President of the United States, something he admitted is now a "real possibility" for him during a recent interview with GQ.
Johnson's name was thrown into the political arena last fall as the race for president was heating up. Many began to wonder whether someone with as electrifying a personality and as big a heart as Johnson would ever consider stepping into the greatest office in the land. What was once a fun thought has now at least become what seems to be a legitimate possibility.
He's given the question more thought. "A year ago," he says, "it started coming up more and more. 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!'"
So, after all that consideration, Johnson doesn't hesitate when I ask him whether he honestly might one day give up his life as the highest-paid movie star on earth—which is unquestionably easier, more fun, and more lucrative than being president of the United States—in order to run for office. "I think that it's a real possibility," he says solemnly.
This after The Rock decided not to endorse either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump a year ago because he didn't want to upset any fans or sway opinion in one direction or another.
As far as how he feels about key issues of the day, Johnson did not get into most of those with Caity Weaver, the author of the feature, though he felt comfortable enough to address the Muslim ban that remains in legal limbo.
"I completely disagree with it," he said without hesitation. "I believe in our national security to the core, but I don't believe in a 'ban' that bans immigrants. I believe in inclusion. Our country was built on that, and it continues to be made strong by that. And the decision felt like a snap judgment. I feel like the majority of, if not all, Americans feel that protection is of huge importance. But the ideology and the execution [of national-security initiatives] is where we really have to be careful of not making those snap decisions, because there's a tail effect... Within 24 hours, we saw a 'tail effect.' It grew to heartache, it grew to a great deal of pain, it grew to a great deal of confusion, and it had a lot of people scrambling."
Johnson singled out proving oneself as a leader who takes responsibility for every citizen of the country as a primary charge. He went on to note that inclusivity is also important, particularly when it comes to those with differing ideologies.
"I feel like one of the qualities of a great leader is not shutting people out. I miss that part. Even if we disagree, we've got to figure it out. Because otherwise I feel, as an American, all I hear and all I see in the example you're setting is 'Now I'm shutting you out. And you can't come.' [Disagreement] informs us. The responsibility as president—I [would] take responsibility for everyone. Especially when you disagree with me. If there's a large number of people disagreeing, there might be something I'm not seeing, so let me see it. Let me understand it."
With three years until the next election and Johnson still rolling as an actor and entrepreneur, President Rock is far from reality at this point. But one wonders what it would be like it if it did transpire one day.
Let's just say 4 a.m. tweets would be drastically different coming from @TheRock. And they'd probably come with selfies.
