Conservative fans of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are disappointed after he backtracked on a playful reference to the newly-appointed conservative British Prime Minister, with fans saying that the wrestling and movie star had caved to pressure from a left-wing Twitter mob.
In a typically exuberant interview, The Rock had been playfully riffing on the fact that he shares a surname with the incoming British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, known for his iconic mop of blonde hair.
“He’s family, by the way; you don’t know that, but now all of Britain knows … he’s my cousin,” The Rock said in an interview with British media. “It’s like looking in the mirror, every time I see Boris.”
He later reheated the gag for Twitter, writing in a now-deleted post on July 29, “Breaking: PM Boris Johnson is in fact my cousin (though we clearly look more like twins).”
The “Fast and Furious” star then made a more serious point.
“Jokes aside, PM did say something in his speech I liked—‘the people are our bosses’. 100% agree. The people/audience/consumer will always matter most. #ourboss.”
The speech he was referring to was Boris Johnson’s first speech as prime minister, made on July 24.
But Johnson the movie star hadn’t counted on just how much Johnson the prime minister has become a figure of hate for those opposed to Brexit and conservativism in the United Kingdom.
Fifteen minutes later, after a furious backlash from Johnson’s detractors, the Tweet had been deleted.
“Well according to the people, maybe we’re not related after all,” he wrote, adding a laughing face emoji.
“Big mahalo to my people who I can always rely on to give me the real talk and swift perspective & education on the individual I did not know. Tequila on me, Britain.”
Naturally enough, the move brought praise from those who are not fans of the prime minister.
“You’re definitely not related,” wrote one on Twitter. “Admitting honest mistakes is definitely a million miles away from what the PM would of [sic] done in this scenario.”
Many other fans expressed disappointment in The Rock, but few seemed willing to give up on the “Jumanji” star, who has made a name for himself on social media–where he has over 13 million followers, for his easy-going sense of fun.
“Dude, don’t cave to the Twitter mobs,” wrote one person. “Especially when they’re decisively political one way or the other. Form your own opinions, that’s why so many respect you. I’m disappointed in you.”
Some conservatives took a harsher line.
The Rock has given no further response on the issue.
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