In one of the most memorable “Saturday Night Live” stunts, Dwayne Johnson launched a presidential campaign that involved Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks as a running mate.
The wrestler-turned-actor marked his fifth time hosting Saturday Night Live, prompting fellow fifth-timer Alec Baldwin to welcome The Rock to the Five-Timers Club. Aside from bragging rights, being a Five-Timer means you get a smoking jacket with quilted lapels bearing a golden “5” on the chest.
The Rock mentioned to Alec that people have been asking him to run for POTUS, and made quite the announcement. “Starting tonight, I am running for the president of the United States.”
He continued:
“And I’ve got to tell you, I’ve already chosen my running mate. He’s also in the Five-Timers Club, and like me, he’s very well-liked. He’s charming, universally adored by pretty much every human alive.”
Crushing Baldwin’s hopes that he would be The Rock’s choice for vice president, the Baywatch star then brought in Tom Hanks, who said: “Dwayne, I could not possibly turn this down. I’m in. Let’s go.”
It’s really happening. #JohnsonHanks2020 https://t.co/OywA29lUoT #SNLFinale pic.twitter.com/QqYO58YzLu
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) May 21, 2017
“Now, in the past, I never would’ve considered running for president. I mean, I didn’t think I was qualified at all, but now I’m actually worried that I’m too qualified.”
Of course, the campaign was all for kicks, clearly meant to poke fun at current US president Donald Trump. Turning serious, The Rock said:
“It’s just that when it comes to politics, we need more poise and less noise. Americans deserve strong, capable leaders. Leaders who care about this country and care about its people.”
Not wanting to drop the joke just yet, Hanks bantered, “Dwayne, that kind of sounds like you and me. I guess we got to do it,” Hanks said before asking production to drop a banner that read “Johnson Hanks 2020.”
