Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the globally recognized WWE wrestler-turned-Hollywood superstar, has unexpectedly surged ahead in the political betting world, capturing the attention of both political insiders and everyday Americans. As of August 28, 2025, Johnson has overtaken former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris as a leading Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential race, according to the decentralized prediction market platform Polymarket. This sudden rise has fueled speculation: Could Johnson, a man best known for electrifying crowds in the wrestling ring and on the silver screen, become the next challenger to former President Donald Trump?
Polymarket, a platform that allows users to bet on the outcomes of real-world events by trading shares on predictions, has become a bellwether for political sentiment, especially in the run-up to high-stakes elections. On the platform, shares betting "yes" on Johnson's victory are currently trading at 7 cents, which translates to a 7% implied probability of him clinching the Democratic nomination. This puts Johnson in fourth place among Democratic hopefuls, trailing only Gavin Newsom, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Pete Buttigieg. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, who was once seen as the heir apparent within the Democratic Party, now finds herself in fifth place, tied with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, each with a 5% chance according to the market.
Other prominent names, such as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, are seen as long shots, each capturing just a 1% probability on Polymarket. The platform’s predictive power, while not infallible, reflects broader shifts in public opinion and the growing appetite for non-traditional candidates in American politics.
This week’s developments on Polymarket are more than just a curiosity for political junkies. On August 26, 2025, the platform announced a significant investment from venture capital firm 1789 Capital, with Donald Trump Jr.—son of the former president—joining its advisory board. This move underscores the growing legitimacy and influence of prediction markets in shaping political narratives and, perhaps, even outcomes.
But why The Rock? Johnson’s appeal is rooted in more than just celebrity. In 2023, he revealed that multiple parties had approached him about a possible presidential run after a poll showed that a staggering 46% of Americans would support his bid for the White House. Reflecting on this moment, Johnson told Trevor Noah on his Spotify podcast, What Now?, "That was an interesting poll that happened and I was really moved by that. I was really blown away and I was really honored. I'll share this little bit with you: at the end of the year in 2022, I got a visit from the parties asking me if I was going to run, and if I could run."
Johnson’s political identity is as unconventional as his career path. He has described himself as a centrist and a political independent, a position that sets him apart from the increasingly polarized landscape of American politics. In the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election, Johnson endorsed Joe Biden, a move that made headlines given his broad appeal across ideological lines. However, he notably declined to endorse any candidate last year, suggesting a desire to maintain political flexibility—or perhaps signaling bigger ambitions.
The Rock’s unique combination of mass appeal and outsider status makes him a formidable contender in a field often criticized for being out of touch with everyday Americans. With 392 million followers on Instagram, Johnson is a bona fide social media powerhouse, able to reach and mobilize millions with a single post. His pro-wrestling background, particularly his unmatched "promo skills," has equipped him with the ability to command attention, shape narratives, and connect with audiences in ways that many seasoned politicians could only envy.
According to a report published on August 28, 2025, Johnson’s momentum is not just a blip on the radar. The report, which included a collection of images chronicling his rise, highlighted him as the potential next challenger to Donald Trump in the 2028 U.S. presidential election. The idea of a showdown between Trump—a reality TV star-turned-president—and Johnson—a wrestler-turned-actor-turned-political hopeful—might have seemed like pure fantasy a decade ago. Now, it’s a scenario that prediction markets and political strategists alike are taking seriously.
Of course, Johnson’s journey from the wrestling ring to the White House is far from guaranteed. The Democratic field is crowded with established politicians and rising stars, each with their own bases of support and political machinery. Gavin Newsom, the current Governor of California, leads the pack on Polymarket, followed closely by progressive firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Each brings a distinct vision and constituency to the race, setting the stage for a potentially bruising primary battle.
Kamala Harris’s decline in the betting markets is particularly striking. Once seen as a frontrunner, her campaign has struggled to regain momentum in the face of shifting public sentiment and the emergence of unconventional contenders like Johnson. Andy Beshear, the moderate Governor of Kentucky, shares her odds, but neither has managed to capture the imagination of bettors in the way Johnson has.
Polymarket’s methodology is simple but powerful: users buy and sell shares based on their expectations of real-world events, with prices fluctuating as new information emerges. While critics caution that prediction markets are hardly foolproof—after all, unexpected events can upend even the most carefully considered forecasts—they do provide a real-time snapshot of collective sentiment, unfiltered by punditry or campaign spin.
The recent investment in Polymarket by 1789 Capital and the addition of Donald Trump Jr. to its advisory board have only increased the platform’s visibility. This infusion of capital and political star power may further entrench prediction markets as a fixture in the American political landscape, offering both transparency and a new form of engagement for the public.
As the 2028 election cycle heats up, the prospect of Dwayne Johnson emerging as a serious contender represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the Democratic Party. Will voters embrace a candidate whose fame was forged in the ring and on the big screen, or will they turn to more traditional politicians in the face of mounting global and domestic challenges? Only time—and perhaps the bettors on Polymarket—will tell.
For now, one thing is clear: in an era defined by unpredictability and celebrity influence, the boundaries of American politics are being redrawn in real time. And Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, with his unique blend of charisma, independence, and mass appeal, is right at the center of this evolving story.
