Bob Iger Revealed That a Top Democrat Encouraged Him to Run For President

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, it looked like Bob Iger was seriously considering running for President of the United States of America.

With his Disney career seemingly winding down, Iger began to look ahead to the next chapter of his life. With his wife’s (tepid) approval, Iger considered jumping into politics and running for the nation’s highest office. The year was 2018, and the Disney CEO looked at the political landscape and believed that something needed to change.

“The thought I had was coming from the patriot in me, growing up at a time when we respected our politicians not only for what they stood for but because of what they accomplished,” Iger told Vogue at the time.

“I am horrified at the state of politics in America today, and I will throw stones in multiple directions. Dialogue has given way to disdain. I, maybe a bit naively, believed that there was a need for someone in high elected office to be more open-minded and willing to not only govern from the middle but to try to shame everyone else into going to the middle.”

Disney’s Purchase of 21st Century Fox Changed Iger’s Plans

Eventually, Iger put aside his ambitions when Disney acquired 21st Century Fox. The scope of the deal and the radical way that it changed Disney required him to remain focused and dedicated to the company.

Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox

Having since come out of retirement to once again take the helm at Disney, it looks like Iger’s opportunity to run for President has passed.

A Top Democrat Urged Iger to Run

During a recent appearance on Let’s Talk Off Camera With Kelly Ripa, however, Iger revealed that a powerful member of the Democratic Party once encouraged him to run.

“He said to me, ‘You should run for president,’ and I said, ‘Tell me why?’” he recalled. “And his first words out of his mouth were, ‘Well, you really look the part.’ I said, ‘Give me a break. That’s not enough.’”

Photo: Willow Bay on Instagram (via PEOPLE)

After denying that the unnamed Democrat was Bill Clinton, Iger reflected back on his political ambitions, explaining that his wife, Willow Bay, agreed to support his decision, even if she didn’t like it.

“I would say ‘on board’ would be a bit of an overstatement, but not –” Iger began before Ripa cut in and said, “Not threatening divorce?”

“No… I think the way she said it is, ‘When I married you, I gave you my vows, for better or for worse. For whatever richer or for poor. I guess it would’ve become poorer.’”

He continued, “It was along the lines of, ‘Look, I married you and I owe it to you to support your various endeavors and dreams,’ and I wouldn’t say she was fully supportive, but she was not going to fight me.”

Photo: Los Angeles Times

While it looks like Iger’s opportunity to run for President has come and gone, it is interesting to hear how close he came. Now, however, Iger will remain at Disney through at least 2026.