The first time I realized that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a political animal was his somewhat infamous GQ cover story in 2017. In that piece, The Rock spoke a lot about the idea that he might one day run for office, and that he’s absolutely open to the possibility of running for president. In the years since, his thoughts have not changed. He’s pretty choosey about how and where he’ll speak about political issues, but I think the Trump years have been an education for him… in that horrible way it’s been an education for all of us. So with five weeks to go before the election, the Rock is endorsing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The Rock made his endorsement thoughtfully, in an explanatory video in which he conducts an interview/conversation with Biden and Harris:
As a political independent & centrist, I’ve voted for both parties in the past. In this critical presidential election, I’m endorsing @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris.
Progress takes courage, humanity, empathy, strength, KINDNESS & RESPECT.
We must ALL VOTE: https://t.co/rZi1mxh8DC pic.twitter.com/auLbc8xDBv
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) September 27, 2020
He says, in part: “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 of our United States.” He also called Kamala a “certified badass.”
I’m also including the YouTube videos below – the image quality is much better! Anyway, I love this, even if the Rock’s fanbase is made up partially of MAGA dumbasses and they’re all salty AF about it. Like, how dare their favorite wrestler guy actually want competent people running the country?? How dare a Black/Samoan man care about race? HOW DARE HE!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I mean, I’m glad he stepped up and said something since he has such a large platform.
Me, too. As Kaiser said, he actually has plenty of MAGA fans and this may get some who are MAGA-adjacent to think twice about who they vote for, even as the MAGAs — staunch opponents of “cancel culture” — cancel him.
Goes to show how much his MAGA fans pay attention. He has spoken of his parents plenty. And there are photos on his social media sooooooooo….this tracks with who they are.
99% of celebrity endorsements mean nothing and don’t change any minds. The Rock’s endorsement might be one of the few that does, especially since he’s been careful to be non-political in the past.
I honestly was very relieved to learn that he supported Biden/Harris. I was worried he was low-key republican
He is.. Also visited Saudi Arabia at behest of MBS when he was under suspicion for mudering Khashoggi
I think he is probably, but doesn’t like Trump. Both my mom and in laws are all Republicans but don’t like trump. I think all of craziness around his die hard worshippers and his handling of the pandemic really soured them on the current Republicans in power. Both my in laws and mom have told me about encounters with their friends where they’ve said something over the top “trumpian” like anti face mask or sharing doctored anti biden clips. This is absolutely purely anecdotal, but they are all the mystical Obama to trump type voters (I don’t get it either). Except my, NRA member, owns a gun closet, hunts, loves the founding fathers, father in law who refused to vote for trump because and I quote “he’s an a-hole… at least Clinton has governing experience.” He also called wearing a mask “our patriotic duty.”
Sorry, my point is that it doesn’t surprise me that someone who teeters around the middle would come down on the side of Biden this election. I think this is a general pattern. I think the Rock sees which way the wind is blowing, he’s a shrewd business man, but he’s going to lose some of his fandom. Whatever his motivations, this could really influence some people who really look up to him. This is a really great thing he did.
I think he is still a Republican but is a Never Trumper. I think COVID-19 was the last straw for him. When the Under Armour CEO came out in support of Trump a couple of years ago, Rock was one of the spokespeople (along with Steph Curry) who rebuked him. So he has always been low-key anti-Trump.
He’s the sort of celebrity whose endorsement actually means something, since so many people just LOVE him (me included!). I too thought he was more of a Republican, maybe he was in the past. He’s one of those guys who I think has white-passing features so his audience doesn’t take into consideration that the racial issues we face affect him and his family. Anyway, I watched most of the interview and it was great. I especially enjoy how the Biden-Harris campaign does a good job centering Kamala in moments like this where her voice is more important than Joe’s. Behind the scenes they’re doing good work and I apprecate it. Biden 2020!!
He should have done this months ago in my opinion. Even though the voting day is in 5 weeks time, the registration is over now.
If some of his supporters wanted to vote and they haven’t registered then they cannot vote.
There’s still time in all 50 states to register. Most states you can register 15-30 days before election day, and many have 7 days or even day of registration https://www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines/days
Thank you, that is a relief.
The comments on that instagram post are HILARIOUS—-some sorry, salty, bitter magats
There was a tweet that someone posted today noting that The Rock had 199 million followers on Instagram on the day before/of the endorsement of Biden and still has 199 million followers as of today.
The theory is that it was mainly Russian bots who left the salty comments that ‘they were done with him now’ but that none of those accounts actually followed him in the first place!
I’m glad he’s done this, a little bit late in the game but it could still have an impact. No matter his past politics I’m glad he’s putting his money where his mouth is, this election is like no other.
It’s really weird and alarming to watch the conspiracy theories about celebrities come pouring in as soon as they post something—or even when they don’t. He endorses Biden/Harris, so he’s obviously been blackmailed, or maybe he’s not a sellout but a ROBOT CLONE sent out to hide the fact that the Dwayne Johnson has been executed for unspeakable crimes. Or he’s a victim of mind control… the list goes on.
In a way, I feel sorry for anyone who believes in even one of those possibilities. I think a lot of them are cut off from their families because they refuse to get help, not just because they have different political views. It just seems so dangerous to let mental illness run rampant like that because their actions are harmful to themselves and others. Isn’t that the point at which someone can intervene on their behalf? Why is it so prevalent now? 🙁
He’s utterly gorgeous and seems like a really sweet guy. I’m glad he’s made a statement, and I don’t think it’s too late. You Americans have had it tough over there, with a pandemic, the BLM protests and Trumpian corruptions. It’s a wild ride. I read that many of you who comment here say how tired and stressed you are. There’s still 5 weeks to go. I see these celebrities speaking out now as helping to maintain that momentum, helping it keep gathering force right up to election day. Everyone is going to be needed to carry this win off and if the Rock and anyone else can help you keep moving forward, then I’m glad.