Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a well-known actor and former wrestler, has made clear he won’t back any candidate in the American presidency race of 2024.
That includes President Joe Biden, whom he supported publicly back in 2020. For example, now he’s trying to out from the heavy atmosphere of contentious political discussion.
Johnson took a new position in favor of such disengagement from political endorsements that may only deepen today’s polarization.
A brief overview
Dwayne Johnson’s Change
When Johnson gave a recent interview, he expressed sorrow about his 2020 endorsement, explaining that at the time it had seemed best for him, but inadvertently ended up causing a rift in his support base.
Stressing his role as a bridge between people, he has since put himself behind what he calls a private line on politics. Unity is of paramount importance and division is out: Johnson at the time both pained over his past participation in politics and his decision to keep himself out of the current election cycle.
The Influence of Celebrities on Politics
Now, just when he is enjoying the apex of his career with hefty successes both in Hollywood and wrestling, Johnson chooses to stay away from political endorsements.
This raises profound issues to do with the role of celebrities in shaping the political landscape and also brings public figures into debates about responsibility in political dialogue. How can public figures’ influence determine voters’ perception? Or behaviour?
The Problem of How To Inhabit Both Public and Political Realms
This shift in Johnson’s approach to political questions comes not from a single decision on his own part to desist commenting on politics but mirrors the current state of political discourse in the U.S.
It emphasizes the difficulties of joining together ideological opposites – something totally alien in an America deeply divided. Johnson’s decision raises important questions about how celebrity endorsements affect politics today, and how major figures can encourage or hamper real public involvement in politics.
