Dwayne Johnson Has ‘Become Educated’ After Supporting Joe Rogan, Apologizes

After Dwayne Johnson defended Joe Rogan last week, a lot of people took issue with the fact that he was seemingly siding with someone who spread COVID-19 misinformation and freely used the “N-word.”

After Joe Rogan apologized for spreading COVID-19 misinformation last Sunday, the “Red Notice” actor shared his support. “Great stuff here brother,” he wrote on Instagram. “Perfectly articulated. Look forward to coming on one day and breaking out the tequila with you.”

Fans were stunned that the “Jungle Cruise” actor seemingly wanted to chat with Rogan and plug his own brand of tequila – Teremana – considering the sheer number of people who were dropping Spotify because of Rogan’s controversial podcast.

A lot of people were disappointed with The Rock – and not just fans, either.

On Friday, bestselling author Don Winslow tweeted, “Dear @TheRock, You're a hero to many people and using your platform to defend Joe Rogan, a guy that used and laughed about using the N word dozens of times, is a terrible use of your power. Have you actually listened to this man's many racist statements about Black people?”

Late Friday night, Johnson responded:

“Dear @donwinslow

Thank you so much for this

I hear you as well as everyone here 100%

I was not aware of his N word use prior to my comments, but now I've become educated to his complete narrative.

Learning moment for me.

Mahalo, brother and have a great & productive weekend.

DJ”

Although some fans accepted the apology, others felt that Johnson had already shown his true colors, especially in regard to Cheri Jacobs.

Although Johnson had a perfectly polite response to Winslow after he called him out, he had a much harsher response to executive producer Cheri Jacobs.

A day before he responded to Winslow, Johnson came at Jacobs on Twitter.

Johnson tweeted, “Hi Cheri, Good morning, it’s DJ. You’re all over my timeline so I wanted to share some context with you so hopefully you’re no longer triggered by headlines you read. I thought his response was contrite and more importantly, open to change to becoming better.”

Jacobs shot back with: “Joe Rogan to a guest who said he has a Black dad and a white mom: ‘Powerful combination genetic wise. Right? You get the body of the Black man and then you get the mind of the white man altogether in some strange combination.’ ‘Black people’ have ‘a different brain.’”

“I am glad you finally now see the racists comments by Rogan and can address this. Also, I don't get ‘triggered’ so maybe stop that,” she added.

Many women were also taken aback by Johnson’s condescending response.

“I’m really tired of men calling women ‘triggered’ just because we express an opinion or feeling,” commented writer Tara Dublin. “Be better than this, Rock.”

“I love the Rock and I don’t want to read this stuff about him but man, I’m so disappointed,” another wrote.

“Cheri, was that it??” another asked. “Where is the ‘context’ he wanted to share?? Is there another page? Or was the only context his opinion!?!? Also, ‘it’s DJ’...are u friends? What an odd way to begin. It's all so...gross.”

Jacobs clarified, “I don’t know him and we’ve never interacted or spoken.”

On Friday night, Johnson tweeted, “Hi @CheriJacobus, I owe you a sincere apology. I didn’t show up the way I would’ve liked to in our dialogue and my language to you was offensive. I apologize. Thank you and your followers for all the dialogue here. Have a great & productive weekend. DJ.”

Thank you, @TheRock,” Jacobs replied a few minutes later. “I appreciate the apology. Your voice is powerful, and words matter. I will have a great & productive weekend and hope you do, too.”

“They sure do,” Johnson added.

Although some respected Johnson for apologizing, other fans couldn’t help but point out that “you still have not said what you learned and what narrative you believe.”

It remains to be seen if Johnson will comment on this controversy further, or if he's decided to keep his tequila to himself.