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The Rock Wants to Be Cooking in the Oval Office

The former WWE superstar said there's a "real possibility" he'll run for president.
Drew Schwartz
Brooklyn, US
Image by Lia Kantrowitz via Wikimedia and the White House Flickr account

While we already know Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson is the world's highest-paid actor, believes in aliens, loves the song "It's Raining Men," and could probably kill a man with a single punch, it's unclear how he'd fare as a presidential candidate—something he's apparently pretty serious about, according to a new interview.

The former "people's champion" told GQ there was a "real possibility" he'd enter the ring to fight for the presidency in the next few years. It's an idea he's considered before, and one pseudo-endorsed by an op-ed in the Washington Post back in 2016.

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"A year ago it started coming up more and more," Johnson told the magazine. "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!'"

Johnson, who's registered as an Independent, didn't indicate what party he might represent. In 2000, the actor spoke at the Republican National Convention to urge young people to vote regardless of party affiliation. That same year, he also attended the DNC.

One thing that's clear is that the former WWE superstar would like to see "better leadership" in the White House. Though he didn't take a strong stance on Trump—for or against—he did criticize the president's travel bans.

"I believe in our national security to the core, but I don't believe in a 'ban' that bans immigrants," Johnson said. "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."

The Rock isn't the only wealthy celebrity who's teased a possible 2020 campaign. Donald Trump's unprecedented election win also opened the door for Oprah Winfrey, Chris Rock, and Kanye West, who have all said they've considered a bid for the presidency as well.

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