Dwayne Johnson. AP
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a man who has seen and done it all–from being a wrestling icon to Hollywood superstar, social media influencer and, perhaps, even an American politician.
In an ABC News report, the 44-year-old “People’s Champion” expressed his desire to one day join the political ring and even attempt a White House run someday.
“I love my country, I’m extremely patriotic and I also feel, especially now, leadership is so important, great leadership is so important, respected leadership is so important,” Johnson said, adding that the recenly concluded US presidential election had renewed public interest in him running for office.
Asked if he’d one day run for the highest position in the country, Johnson, a known Republican supporter, replied: “If I felt like I could be an effective leader for us, and surround myself with really high-quality leaders, then sure, I would.”
Johnson’s massive influence and popularity has often been linked to political circles in the past.
In an Instagram post earlier this year, he admitted to having a “weirdly plausible path to a political career.” He happens to hail from Florida, a swing state in the presidential election.
Although he did not specify which office he might seek or when he would possibly run, Johnson said that his experience as a producer in Hollywood had given him discipline that he hopes to apply to politics.
“I’ve found really good success in being able to galvanize people in a positive way and continued to push them, as I’ve pushed myself along the way, too, because I walk what I talk, daily, which I think is an important quality,” he said.
Johnson’s possible venture into the world of politics won’t be a first for professional muscle-clad men, as former pro-wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura served as governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003.
Bodybuilder-turned-action star Arnold Schwarzenegger also served two terms as Republican governor of California. Khristian Ibarrola