Hollywood stars began lashing out at Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on Monday after he reiterated his stance to keep his personal politics out of the public eye.After telling Esquire earlier this month that he hates the "slinging" of modern politics, "Star Trek" alum George Takei and "Stand By Me" actor Wil Wheaton took to social media to slam Johnson, with Takei arguing that his silence makes him "complicit.""Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson's recent comments to Esquire about wanting to ‘keep my politics to myself’ have divided fans, with some calling out his silence," Takei wrote on Threads.DWAYNE 'THE ROCK' JOHNSON REJECTS HOLLYWOOD’S POLITICAL OBSESSION, BLASTS CELEBRITY ATTACK CULTUREDwayne "The Rock" Johnson pushed back on celebrity political culture.(TheStewartofNY/Getty Images)He then replied to his post on Monday, writing, "Silence is complicity."Wheaton also called out Johnson in a Threads post, later deleted, that was reported by Entertainment Weekly, writing, "So disappointing to find out he is such a coward."However, some came to Johnson’s defense online, including comedian Matt Rife, who took to X to mock Wheaton’s "coward" comment.'CRIMINAL MINDS' STAR PAGET BREWSTER APOLOGIZES FOR TELLING REPORTER 'YOU SUCK' IN DELETED POST"I love how he’s a ‘coward’ but could quite literally tear Wil’s throat out through his a--hole," Rife wrote on Wednesday, adding, "This internet comment world is so bold."The controversy stems from Johnson's Esquire interview for the magazine's Summer 2026 cover story.
The actor, known for starring in the "Fast & Furious" franchise as well as the "Jumanji" films, explained why he’ll be keeping his political views private from now on."What I have learned through experience is that I need to keep — need, not want — the main thing the main thing," he said."And 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.
I’ve le...