Governor McConaughey? It could happen someday, but according to the actor's recent comments to Stephen Colbert, you shouldn't hold your breath. In an appearance on The Late Show on Nov. 18, Matthew McConaughey shut down the rumor that he's going to run for political office soon—specifically, to be the governor of his home state of Texas. "I have no plans to do that right now, as I said, that would be up to a lot of other people," the Oscar winner explained.
Colbert brought up the subject because McConaughey didn't dismiss the idea when he was interviewed on The Hugh Hewitt Show earlier this week.
"I don’t know," the actor answered, when the host asked if he would "ever run for anything." "I mean, that wouldn’t be up to me. It would be up to the people more than it would me."
His open-ended reply could be taken by some as passive "yes," but the author of the recently released memoir Greenlights cleared things up with Colbert.
"I've always kind of given the same answer, but evidently one of them came out as 'I would consider it' since I didn't say 'absolutely no,'" McConaughey explained.
YouTube/The Late Show
He clarified that he has no political aspirations right now, but it also doesn't sound as though he's ruling it out for the future. According to McConaughey, a lot of things would have to change for him to seriously consider entering the political realm, however.
"I don't get politics. Politics seems to be a broken business. Politics needs to redefine its purpose," he said. "As I move forward in life, am I going to consider leadership roles where I can be most useful? I'd love to, I'm doing that regardless. That's where I sit right now."
Keep reading for more celebrities who've been pressed about their political plans, and for insider info about which stars are the least polite, A Restaurant Server Is Rating Celebrities Based on How Rude They Are.
1 | Oprah Winfrey
Joe Seer/ShutterstockOprah Winfrey was rumored to be considering a presidential run as recently as 2018. But in an interview with British Vogue (via CNN), she confirmed that she wouldn't be launching a 2020 campaign, saying, "I would not be able to do it. It's not a clean business. It would kill me."
For the most famous face who has your birth year, check out The Biggest Star Who's the Same Age as You.
2 | Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Featureflash Photo Agency/ShutterstockAs a movie star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is almost universally adored, which might help make him a viable political candidate. While he was quick to confirm that he wouldn't be seeking office in 2020, he has expressed interest in crossing over into that sphere someday.
"I’m not ruling it out," he said at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, per IndieWire. “I’m not ruling out the idea if I could make a bigger impact somehow, or potentially surround myself with good people."
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3 | Cher
Tinseltown/ShutterstockBack in Dec. 2018, Cher tweeted, "As 4 Running,Im Considering My Options," along with some criticism of the current president and an image of a Cher 2020 shirt. Obviously, she didn't go through with the idea this time, but that doesn't mean we absolutely won't be watching the inauguration of President Cher one day.
For stars who declined an invite to the ballroom, check out 17 Celebrities Who Turned Down Dancing With the Stars.
4 | Alec Baldwin
ShutterstockAlec Baldwin may get closer to the presidency than playing Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live. At the very least, he wants to. The actor has discussed running for office several times over the years. In 2019, he tweeted, "If I ran for President, would you vote for me? I won’t ask you for any $. And I promise I will win." A 2020 bid didn't come together, but hey, maybe you'll be able to vote for Jack Donaghy in 2024.
For the stars voters look to, check out The Celebrity Whose Political Opinion Americans Trust Most, Survey Says.
