Dwayne \u201cThe Rock\u201d Johnson<\/a>\u00a0on Tuesday was roundly criticized after confirming earlier this month that he will no longer publicly discuss politics, catching flak from \u201cStar Trek\u201d icon George Takei<\/a>\u00a0and \u201cStand By Me\u201d star Wil Wheaton<\/a> \u2014 who called him a \u201ccoward.\u201d<\/p>\n Johnson was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood<\/a> for several years<\/a> and has arguably curated a nonconfrontational persona<\/a> regarding politics, even as President Donald Trump<\/a> launched mass deportations<\/a>, lethal immigration raids<\/a>, de facto coups<\/a> and a war on Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n Politics: Rogue Elevator Thwarts MAGA Senator’s Excruciatingly Awkward Attempt To Duck Questions<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve learned I\u2019m going to keep my politics to myself,\u201d Johnson told Esquire magazine in an interview published earlier this month<\/a>. \u201cThere are moments when, hey, there\u2019s nothing we can\u2019t talk about. If I\u2019m wrong, I\u2019ll tell you I\u2019m wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n The former wrestler<\/a> continued at the time, \u201cOr if I feel like I got a leg up and this is the right way to go, I\u2019ll share it with you. Politics is omnipresent and it\u2019s forever. I don\u2019t like it. [Laughs.] I hate it at times. I hate the slinging. I hate all the ******** that comes with it.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cJumanji<\/a>\u201d star was skewered Tuesday by Takei, an outspoken critic of Trump<\/a> and his administration<\/a>\u00a0who shared an article about Johnson\u2019s comments on social media and wrote on Threads<\/a>, \u201cSilence is complicity.\u201d<\/p>\n Wheaton\u00a0commented<\/a>, \u201cSo disappointing to find out he is such a coward.\u201d<\/p>\n Politics: An Out-Of-Control Supreme Court Nearly Killed Birthright Citizenship<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Takei was born in Los Angeles, California, to Japanese parents in 1937. They were forcibly interned by the U.S. government<\/a> during World War II under the administration of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt<\/a> after Japan\u2019s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. He was 5<\/a>.<\/p>\n Johnson has made a fortune in Hollywood following his transition from professional wrestling into acting. While he has donated money<\/a> to causes and has stood up for the rights of others<\/a>, he has nonetheless uttered nary a word about the harmful policies of the Trump administration.<\/p>\n Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support celebrity.land<\/a>.<\/p>\n Johnson, seen here at the 8th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors in February. Richard Shotwell\/Invision\/Associated Press<\/span><\/p>\n He did tell Fox News in 2024<\/a> that he regretted endorsing former President Joe Biden<\/a> in 2020, stating at the time, \u201cMy goal is to bring this country together. I believe in that. There will be no endorsement. At this level of influence, I will keep my politics to myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Johnson argued his endorsement had caused division among his fans \u2014 or customers.<\/p>\n Politics: Mike Johnson Has Quite The Reaction To Birthright Citizenship Ruling<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n During his Esquire interview, the actor mentioned Bruce Springsteen<\/a>, \u201cwho I love,\u201d routinely calling out<\/a> Trump mid-concert<\/a>. He recalled thinking, \u201cOh, then why don\u2019t they talk?\u201d Johnson argued that, while he isn\u2019t sure \u201cwhere that goes,\u201d communication is \u201can important step.\u201d<\/p>\n Read Johnson\u2019s full interview at Esquire.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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