The Rock’s political future

Dwayne Johnson has been floated as a possible 2020 presidential contender, said Josh Eells in Rolling Stone. But in 2016, the popular actor known as “The Rock” decided not to vote for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. “It was either vote for the [candidate] I thought would make a better president than the other, even though I would rather have someone else, or not vote at all,” says Johnson, who voted for Barack Obama twice. Johnson decided neither candidate deserved his vote. The widespread dissatisfaction other Americans feel with their current options, he thinks, is the main reason both Republicans and Democrats are wooing him to run in 2020. But he’s not throwing his hat in the ring—at least now. “I think in a lot of people’s minds, what Trump has proved is that anybody can run for president,” Johnson says. “And in a lot of people’s minds, what he’s also proved is that not everybody should run for president. This is a skill set that requires years and years of experience.” But if The Rock ever changes his mind, he knows who to call. “There’s a well-known political figure who said, ‘All right, listen. If and when you want to run for president, when you text me this word, I’ll come running,’” he says. “‘Don’t text any other word—not hi, not how you doing, not what’s up. Just this word.’” That code word? “Freedom patriot,” Johnson says.