Dwayne Johnson has come under fire on social media after telling Esquire magazine earlier this month that he would no longer speak publicly about politics. “Star Trek” icon George Takei is one of the voices in Hollywood to criticize Johnson’s stance, writing in a thread that “silence is complicity.”
“I’m so sorry to hear he’s such a coward,” replied “Stand by Me” actor Wil Wheaton.
Johnson, who is currently on a global press tour for Disney’s live-action movie “Moana,” told Fox News in 2024 that his support for Joe Biden as a presidential candidate in 2020 was divisive among fans. He said he regretted it, adding at the time: “My goal is to unite this country. I believe in that. I won’t support it. At this level of influence, I’m going to keep my politics private. It’s between me and the ballot box.”
The blockbuster actor expanded on his newfound aversion to political talk when he told Esquire this month: “What I’ve learned through experience is that what you need is what you need to keep, not what you want. And the most important thing for me is to swing my legs out of bed in the morning and run towards it. It’s about creating. It’s about art. It’s about storytelling. I’ve learned that I’m going to keep my politics to myself and say, “Hey, there’s nothing we can’t do.” If I feel like this is the right way, I’ll share it. i hate it. i hate it.
Jennifer Lawrence faced similar scrutiny last fall when she told The New York Times during the press tour for Die My Love that she had a newfound reluctance to talk to reporters about politics. The Oscar winner has been outspoken against Donald Trump during the first US presidential administration, particularly writing an op-ed after Election Day declaring that Trump’s victory meant that “white men are the only people who feel safe[in America]and whose rights are recognized and respected.”
When asked about his thoughts on speaking out about Trump and politics now, Lawrence said, “I’m not sure if I should. The first Trump administration was so wild, how can we let this go? Running around like a chicken with its head cut off.” But as election after election has shown us, celebrities have no influence on who you vote for. So what am I doing? I’m just sharing my opinion on things that add fuel to the fire.” We are tearing the country apart. ”
“I’m also an artist, so I think I’m going through a complicated recalibration,” Lawrence continued. “Given the temperature and the way things are going, I don’t want to start turning people away from films and art that has the potential to change consciousness and change the world just because they don’t like my political opinions. I want to protect my craft so that people can get excited about what I’m doing. If I can’t say anything that will lead to resolution, I don’t want to be part of the problem.I don’t want to create problems.”And what’s worse is that when you look at the faces of actors who have had incredible careers and made incredible contributions, half the internet doesn’t want to see their faces anymore. I’m very angry at those people and it feels very wrong. ”
Lawrence said he is able to communicate his political beliefs through his work, including the films his production company produces. These projects include “Bread and Roses,” which follows three Afghan women in the aftermath of a 2021 Taliban attack, and the abortion documentary “Zurawski v Texas.”
“I try to express my politics through my work,” she said. “A lot of the films that come out of my production company are politically charged, and that’s how I feel I can help.”
