Entertainment
Matthew McConaughey reveals if he’s getting into US politics as he plans virtual benefit for home state of Texas
Matthew McConaughey has addressed those rumours he’s getting into politics.
It’s been rumoured the Dallas Buyers Club star, 51, has set his sights on becoming the next Governor of Texas and Matthew’s now revealed that he could be tempted.
While he admits no plans are currently in place for him to run as Governor, the Oscar-winner said he is ‘absolutely’ considering throwing his hat into the ring.
Speaking during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Matthew explained: ‘It’s something I’m giving consideration – absolutely.
‘What an honourable thing to even be able to consider. No further than that right now, sir.’
It wouldn’t be the first time a celebrity has got involved with politics, as Arnold Schwarzenegger was famously the former Governor of California.
The Terminator star, 73, was in office between 2003 and 2011 and then later returned to acting.
Speaking about his time as Governor, he told Metro.co.uk in 2013: ‘I always made it very clear that I wasn’t trying to become a career politician.
‘I just thought that California was in crisis and I felt that, in a sense, California and America had given me every opportunity that I have had, so I should take seven years out of my life to serve the people of California, regardless of the lack of pay.’
He added that he ended up giving the money he was paid for his political role ($187,000 which is around £124k a year) back, as it was ‘petty cash’ to him.
While he may not be in office yet, Matthew is doing all he can to help the people of Texas after the stat was hit by severe weather and storms last month.
With the help of his wife Camila, Matthew is throwing a star-studded virtual benefit to raise money to help those in need and tackle water damage.
He told Jimmy: ‘In Texas, we’re used to a hurricane, a tornado, a drought, heat, but not a freeze. It’s something we weren’t prepared for… One of the great things about Texas is that it’s in our spirit to pull our bootstraps up and go, “Let’s deal.” We like to help ourselves. And we need to all help each other.’
Matthew continued: ‘I want to make sure that everyone who will hopefully give knows that you’re giving to people who want to help themselves, but are unable to right now. And we’re trying to keep this a vital issue so that everyone understands.
‘There are immediate needs. The main long term damage now is water damage. And that’s an invisible killer. You don’t see it from the street, but once you go in the front door you see, “Oh there’s no clean water, this is unliveable. That’s why we’re doing the benefit. It’s incredibly relevant.’
The benefit is set to air on Matthew’s YouTube star and will feature appearances from the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Kacey Musgraves and Renee Zellweger.
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