Fox News publicized its special interview with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson multiple times on Friday, focusing on his answer when asked about his presidential endorsement this year: none.
Fox’s Will Cain, who interviewed Johnson as he prepared for this year’s WrestleMania in Philadelphia, brought up Johnson’s significant influence on his large following. He then asked Johnson about how he utilized that influence in 2020 when he supported President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Cain indirectly inquired if Johnson regretted that decision:
Cain: There was a time that you used your fame, and it was a time that not everybody was happy. And that was a few years ago. And you made a very big point, you said “I’ve never done this before. I’ve never endorsed a political candidate.” And you endorsed Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. And I’m being real with you, and you’re being real with me, a lot of people on Fox watching this, you and I talking right now, remember that and wonder about that. So, how do you feel now in retrospect with that endorsement?
Johnson: In what way?
Cain: Are you happy that you made that endorsement in 2020? Are you happy with the state of America?
Johnson: Am I happy with the state of America right now? Well, that answer’s no.
This was the main highlight for many, and it was the clip that was used on Fox News to promote the interview. However, that wasn’t Johnson’s complete response. Here is more of what he said:
Do I believe we’re going to get better? I believe in that. I’m an optimistic guy, and I believe we can get better. The endorsement that I made years ago with Biden was one I thought was the best decision for me at that time. And I thought back then, when we talk about, “Hey, you know, I’m in this position, where I have some influence and it’s my job” then, I felt like that then, it’s my job now to exercise my influence and share with, “this is who I’m going to endorse.” Am I going to do that again this year? That answer’s no. I’m not going to do that.
This is where other clips concluded, with Johnson stating that he wouldn’t endorse Biden again, and several outlets emphasized this. Some even presented it as Johnson saying he regretted endorsing Biden, but that’s not accurate. (He didn’t even use the word “regret.”) However, that still wasn’t his complete response:
Because what I realized, and I didn’t realize it back then, Will, but I realize it today, and back then, just like I am today, very lucky. I was then the most followed American man in the world, and I am today the most followed American man in the world. And I appreciate that. But I also realize that what that caused back then was something that tears me up in my guts, back then and now, which is division. And that got me. And I didn’t realize it then. I just thought, “Hey, our country feels like there’s a lot of unrest. It feels like I would like things to calm down. Maybe we need a change. This is what I’m going to do and this is who I’m going to endorse.”
The takeaway after that, months and months and months, I started to realize like, oh man, that caused an incredible amount of division in our country. So I realize now going into this election, I’m not going to do that. I wouldn’t do that because my goal is to bring our country together. I believe in that, in my DNA. So in the spirit of that, there’s going to be no endorsement. Not that I’m afraid of it at all, but it’s just I realize that this level of influence I’m gonna keep my politics to myself, and I think it’s between me and the ballot box. But I will tell you this: While, like a lot of us out there, not trusting of all politicians, I do trust the American people. And I trust that whoever they vote for, that’s going to be my president. And that’s why I’m going to support 100 percent.
If Johnson had any regrets, it was that his endorsement caused division among his fans, and he has a lot of them. Supporting a any political candidate would have caused this, and that’s why he stated he wouldn’t do it again.
That’s what the Rock is cooking.
Watch the complete interview on Fox News on YouTube.
