The Rock Emerges as Top Democratic Presidential Candidate in 2028 Prediction Markets

Hollywood actor and former WWE star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has unexpectedly overtaken Vice President Kamala Harris in betting odds for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination on Polymarket, the leading decentralized prediction platform. This development reflects broader market interest in unconventional political candidates within the crypto-native betting community.

Johnson’s Surprise Lead in Presidential Race Predictions

As of the latest market snapshot, shares backing Johnson’s victory in the Democratic presidential primary are trading at 7 cents, implying roughly a 7% probability of securing the nomination. This positions the entertainment mogul fourth overall in the race, trailing California Governor Gavin Newsom, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Harris, who was previously more prominently featured in speculation about the presidential nomination, now ranks fifth with traders pricing in a 5% chance, level with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Minor candidates including former First Lady Michelle Obama and entrepreneur Mark Cuban each carry approximately 1% odds.

The Polymarket Phenomenon in Presidential Politics

Polymarket operates as a decentralized betting exchange where participants can trade shares representing different outcomes of real-world events—from electoral races to financial market movements. The platform’s decision to embrace crypto-native prediction mechanisms has generated significant trading volume, with users increasingly viewing it as a barometer for political sentiment beyond traditional polling.

The platform itself is attracting major investment attention. In August 2025, Polymarket secured funding from venture capital firm 1789 Capital and added Donald Trump Jr. to its advisory board, signaling institutional confidence in prediction market infrastructure during an election cycle.

From Entertainment to Presidential Speculation

Johnson’s emergence as a serious consideration in Democratic presidential betting circles traces back to 2023, when he publicly disclosed that multiple political parties had approached him to gauge his interest in running for the nation’s highest office. The inquiry followed a poll showing 46% of Americans would support a hypothetical presidential run by the actor.

“That was an interesting poll that happened and I was really moved by that,” Johnson explained during an appearance on a popular podcast. “At the end of 2022, I got visits from the parties asking if I was going to run and if I could run.”

The multi-hyphenate entertainer has positioned himself as a political independent and self-described centrist. He publicly backed Joe Biden during the 2020 election cycle but declined to endorse the Democratic nominee in subsequent cycles, maintaining strategic distance from partisan commitments.

Social Media Reach and Political Influence

Johnson’s appeal to prediction market participants may partly reflect his unprecedented reach as a social media personality. With 392 million followers on Instagram, he commands one of the largest platforms for direct communication with potential voters. His decades in professional wrestling cultivated what he calls “promo skills”—the ability to craft compelling narratives and connect emotionally with audiences—capabilities that political consultants often identify as critical for electoral success.

Market Volatility and Prediction Dynamics

The movement of The Rock’s odds reflects broader dynamics within cryptocurrency prediction markets, which have become increasingly sophisticated in capturing non-traditional political sentiment. These platforms operate independently of conventional polling infrastructure, sometimes revealing appetite for unconventional candidates that traditional surveys may underweight.

The timing of his rising odds aligns with a period of significant market uncertainty and heightened political speculation, suggesting that entertainment figures with substantial public platforms and media experience may represent attractive speculative positions for betting market participants exploring unconventional scenarios for the 2028 presidential race.