Dwayne Johnson ‘delays’ presidential campaign: ‘I do not have any delusions that it’s easy’

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Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson will not run for president in 2020, saying “the best thing I can do now is go to work and learn”.

It comes amid speculation that the popular Hollywood actor, who has a massive social media following, would make a bid for the White House in two years’ time.

However the star, who previously said he would “take responsibility for everybody” if he became the US leader, has now decided to delay that possibility.

Speaking at the premiere of his new film, Rampage, in Leicester Square, Johnson said: "I think right now I am just learning as much as I can. I respect our political process.

Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman and Dwayne Johnson in a crowded Leicester Square ( Ian West/PA Wire)
Ian West/PA

"I also do not have any delusions that it's easy. And I have a tremendous respect, so 2020 is not going to happen.

"Maybe 2024, maybe 2028, I don't know.

"I think the best thing I can do now is to go to work and learn. That's where we're at."

The 45-year-old Jumanji and Baywatch actor boasts 12.8 million followers on Twitter and 58 million 'likes' on Facebook.

Johnson said he wouldn't run for president in 2020 (Ian West/PA Wire)
PA

In an interview with GQ last year, he said he started to consider the prospect of a presidential run after reading a Washington Post article that suggested him as a possible successor to Donald Trump.

“It started coming up more and more,” he said.

“There was a real sense of earnestness, which made me go home and think, ‘let me really rethink my answer and make sure I am giving an answer that is truthful and also respectful.’

“I didn't want to be flippant.”

Asked if he really would give run for office he replied: “I think that it's a real possibility.”

He added: “I feel that if I were president, poise would be important. Leadership would be important. Taking responsibility for everybody.

“[If I didn't agree with someone] on something, I wouldn't shut them out. I would actually include them. The first thing we'd do is we'd come and sit down and we'd talk about it.”

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