Wil Wheaton slams 'coward' Dwayne Johnson over private politics
Wil Wheaton slams Dwayne Johnson as a coward on Threads Monday after the actor said he will keep his political views private. The Stand By Me star responded to George Takei's post about Johnson's Esquire interview, writing: "So disappointing to find out he is such a coward." The clash highlights Hollywood's divide over celebrity political silence.
The exchange landed in Celebrity Breaking News as Johnson faces fresh scrutiny while promoting projects and Wheaton, a vocal Trump critic, keeps speaking out.
Key Takeaways
- Wil Wheaton called Dwayne Johnson a coward on Threads on Monday in response to George Takei's post.
- Johnson, 53, told Esquire he will keep politics private so art and storytelling stay his focus.
- Wheaton campaigned for Kamala Harris in 2024; Johnson endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 but skipped endorsing anyone in 2024.
- Johnson condemned the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump and said political violence has no room in America.
- Trump said Johnson reached out through Dana White after the shooting and praised his response.
What Did Wil Wheaton Say About Dwayne Johnson?
Wil Wheaton did not hold back. The actor branded Johnson a coward after the wrestler-turned-star said he plans to keep his political views to himself.
"So disappointing to find out he is such a coward," Wheaton wrote Monday on Threads, replying to a post from Star Trek alum George Takei that highlighted Johnson's recent comments to Esquire magazine.
Wheaton has long been outspoken about politics and campaigned for Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election, according to Page Six. That track record made his rebuke of Johnson especially pointed for fans watching the feud unfold online.
Why Is Dwayne Johnson Keeping His Politics Private?
Johnson, who identifies as an Independent, explained in Esquire that he no longer wants public political fights to overshadow his work. "What I have learned through experience is that I need to keep — need, not want — the main thing the main thing," he said.
"The main thing for me, the thing that in the morning I swing my legs out of bed and I run towards, is creating. It's art. It's storytelling," Johnson added. "I've learned I'm going to keep my politics to myself."
He said people with opposing views should talk rather than attack each other publicly, adding: "I hate the slinging. I hate all the bulls--- that comes with it." Johnson also left room for private disagreement, noting he will admit when he is wrong.
What Is Johnson's Political History?
Johnson publicly endorsed Joe Biden during the 2020 election. Ahead of the 2024 race, he said he would not endorse another presidential candidate, explaining he regretted his previous endorsement because it fueled division among his audience.
Still, Johnson has addressed Donald Trump directly in recent years. He condemned the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, saying political violence has no room in America.
"Whether you love Donald, don't love Donald, it doesn't matter. They tried to assassinate him. There's no room for that," Johnson said at The Value Conference in September 2024. He also said Trump had been a fan of his wrestling career and attended his matches in New York City.
How Did Trump Respond to Johnson's Outreach?
During an October 2024 appearance on Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway, Trump said Johnson reached out after the shooting. "When I was shot, you may have heard about it, Rock called Dana White and said, 'I want to have his number,'" Trump recalled.
"He considered it bravery. I don't know, to me, I considered it, 'What's going on here?' But it was very nice, The Rock," Trump added. That history makes Wheaton's coward label all the more striking to observers tracking how Johnson navigates fame and politics today.