Hollywood stars are turning on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson after his latest comments on personal politics. The action star recently told Esquire that he plans to keep his political views entirely private. This stance has divided fans and sparked intense backlash from fellow actors.
Former Star Trek actor George Takei led the criticism on social media. He argued on Threads that Johnson's silence on major issues makes him complicit. Takei wrote that keeping political views private only helps the status quo.
Actor Wil Wheaton also slammed Johnson in a now-deleted post. Wheaton called the wrestler-turned-actor a coward for his refusal to take a stand. The harsh comment quickly circulated online before being taken down.
Comedian Matt Rife quickly came to Johnson's defense on the social media platform X. Rife mocked Wheaton's comment and pointed out the physical mismatch between the two men. He noted that the internet comment world has become incredibly bold.
I love how he’s a “coward” but could quite literally tear Wil’s throat out through his asshole 😂 this internet comment world is so bold https://t.co/J541yxElUt
— Matt Rife (@mattrife) July 1, 2026
The drama started after Johnson's Summer 2026 cover story interview with Esquire. In the interview, the Jumanji star explained that he needs to keep his focus on his art. He stated that his main goal in life is creating and storytelling.
Johnson admitted that he hates the endless slinging and division of modern politics. He described the political landscape as omnipresent and frustrating. The star made it clear that he wants to focus on bringing people together instead.
This is a major shift from Johnson's past political actions. He previously endorsed Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election. However, he later expressed deep regret over the division that endorsement caused among his fans.
In April 2024, Johnson explained his new neutral stance on Fox News. He told host Will Cain that he would not endorse any candidate in the 2024 race. He believes his political decisions should remain strictly between him and the ballot box.