Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has said that he can’t think of any friends who explicitly support President Joe Biden while discussing bipartisanship with podcaster Joe Rogan.
Johnson made the remarks during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience that was released on Wednesday. The actor and former professional wrestling star lamented the current state of U.S. politics after Rogan, who said in September that “the country was thriving” under former President Donald Trump, reminisced that while he was a child “you could have a Republican friend “without being called a Nazi.”
“Dude, it’s the craziest thing,” said Johnson. “I have friends who support Trump. I have friends who support Biden. I have friends…”
Rogan then interrupted Johnson to ask whether he “really [has] friends who support Biden,” before laughing and saying “come on.” Biden received 81.2 million votes in the 2020 presidential election, over 7 million more than Trump’s tally.
Beatriz Velasco
“Well, no no no,” Johnson replied. “Here’s what I do… I have friends… thank you, that’s a good check. Because that’s important. This is important context.”
Johnson clarified that he did have friends who may support the incumbent president because they are loyal to the Democratic Party or have a progressive instead of a conservative political worldview, rather than their dedication to Biden himself.
“I have friends who are loyal to the party,” he said. “I have friends who are like, f*** it, I’m not voting for either one [Trump or Biden] last election, this election. But it’s that kind of thing, where I would love to see us get to this place where its ok [to disagree].”
Johnson, who endorsed Biden in the 2020 presidential election, went on to say that the American political divide was “unhealthy” for individuals and “just in terms of humanity.”
Newsweek reached out for comment to Johnson’s publicist via email on Thursday.
In recent years, Johnson has repeatedly teased his own potential presidential ambitions. During a recent podcast interview with former Daily Show host Trevor Noah, he said that he was visited by unnamed political parties over the prospect of becoming a candidate at the end of 2022.
Johnson said during an interview on The Tonight Show this week that he would “for sure” consider a run for the White House at some point “down the road.” A poll released in April 2021 found that 46 percent of Americans supported him as a candidate for the presidency.
Although Johnson identified himself as a Republican before, he has said more recently that he is an independent with a “centrist” political view. While endorsing Biden in 2020, he praised the “compassion” and “soul” of the then-future president and praised future Vice President Kamala Harris as a “certified bada**.”
“I’ve never publicly endorsed a presidential candidate or vice presidential candidate in my life,” Johnson said. “You guys are both experienced to lead, you’ve done great things. Joe, you’ve had such an incredible career, and you’ve led, in my opinion, with such great compassion, and heart, and drive—but also soul.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.