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About three weeks after hinting that a political bid of some sort is likely “in the near future,” actor Will Smith expounded on the reason for his interest in elected office, along with which position he’d likely seek.
Without mentioning Donald Trump’s name, Smith identified the GOP front-runner’s polarizing policy positions as the impetus behind his projected foray into the realm of politics.
“If people keep saying all the crazy kinds of stuff they’ve been saying on the news lately, about walls and Muslims,” he said during an interview on CBS’ Sunday Morning, “they’re going to force me into the political arena.”
Since his focus is on the presidential race, Smith said his ambitions are similarly lofty.
“I mean, I’ve got to be president,” he said, “Come on, what else would I run for?”
Even without Trump’s influence, however, Smith seems intent on expanding his influence beyond his acclaimed career as an entertainer.
“I think being the biggest movie star in the world, as a goal,” he said, “actually was too small,” going on to assert that “there was no way that I was put here just to be a movie star.”
Social media reaction to the announcement was mixed, with some asserting that Smith would likely continue the policies of the current administration.
@thehill We don’t need another race baiter in the White House. Will Smith helps Black lies matter so screw you Will! GO #TRUMP2016
— Robyn (@rossr122) December 14, 2015
@thehill Obama 2.0 — Stella Cerda Mourer (@CerdaStella) December 14, 2015
Even some turned off by Trump’s divisive rhetoric do not believe a Smith candidacy would mark a positive change for the 2016 election.
@thehill yes!! @WillSmithFanss is kookier than trump…just what we need , a real clown line up
— Jen Cook (@jencookies) December 14, 2015