The “Stop! That! Train!” actor and Emmy-winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race” icon told “The View” he doesn’t want to hold office.

RuPaul explains why he’d ‘never want to be in public office’ ahead of playing president in new movie

The "Stop! That! Train!" actor and Emmy-winning "RuPaul's Drag Race" icon told "The View" he doesn't want to hold office.

Joey Nolfi

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes RuPaul’s Drag Race video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

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May 28, 2026 12:58 p.m. ET

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RuPaul as the president in 'Stop! That! Train!'; RuPaul on 'The View'. Credit:

World of Wonder/Bleecker Street; ABC

- RuPaul stopped by *The View* on Thursday to promote his new movie *Stop! That! Train!*, in which he plays the president.

- The 14-time Emmy winner explained why he'd never seek public office in real life.

- "We need joy. Listen, I'm so over it all. I think that's probably what they want. I'm so over all of the mishegas going on out there," Ru said of the current state of American politics.**

Despite being the president who *RuPaul's Drag Race* fans want to see in the Oval Office, RuPaul has revealed that he won't seek public office — that is, outside of his upcoming role as President Gagwell in the upcoming movie *Stop! That! Train!*

The record-holding 14-time Emmy winner and drag superstar appeared on Thursday's episode of *The View* to promote the film and the ongoing *RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 11** *season*. *He told the hosts that he doesn't plan on making a real-life political bid amid the current chaos in American politics.

After walking out to a sustained standing ovation (which he regularly receives from *The View *audience), Mama Ru immediately told the panelists that he'd "never want to be in public office, because you can't get anything done."

"You know, with the corporations, they have their agenda. You go there with good intentions, but you see there's blockage every step of the way," he said moments after the cohosts broke down several political topics during their Hot Topics discussion.**

"Some people go to line their pockets, but I'm not that kind of a president," Ru said, laughing as he turned the conversation toward his role in the new comedy *Stop! That! Train!* The film also stars *Drag Race *alums Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Symone, Marcia Marcia Marcia, Angeria Paris VanMicheals, and Michelle Visage.

Ru later explained that the antidote to toxic politics — including conservative bids to restrict the rights of transgender people — is the kind of joy that can be found in queer entertainment.

"We need joy. Listen, I'm so over it all. I think that's probably what they want. I'm so over all of the mishegas going on out there," Ru admitted. "I want to eat chocolate. I want to dance."

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"It takes a lot of work to create joy in your life, so that's what we must do. It's a revolutionary act to have fun and joy in all of this stuff that we're dealing with," RuPaul continued.

When asked about the current state of political attacks on LGBTQ+ people, Ru said, "We've tried rational thinking, critical thinking, we've tried everything" to implore right-wing politicians to not target queer community members with oppressive legislation.

"I wish I had an answer. I don't know what else to do, as we all are at our wits' end. We've never experienced anything like this in our lives," Ru said. He then noted that while he voted in California state elections last week, "This was the first time I thought to myself, 'Do I really want to vote this time?'"

RuPaul has long maintained the importance of voting (every recent *RuPaul's Drag Race* episode has ended with a message urging viewers to vote), and doubled down on the sentiment on *The View*.

"I've already done it, but I did think to myself, 'Do you even want to try this?' Are y'all with me? Do you know what I'm talking about? You must vote [because] that's part of their plan" to make people question whether or not their vote matters, Ru explained.

Ru noted that, through his prominence on TV and in movies, he's "able to inspire more people" by simply being present in mainstream media.

RuPaul visits 'The View'.

In 2023, RuPaul spoke out against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in a video responding to a Tennessee law that aimed to limit drag performances and gender-affirming care for youth in the state.

"'Hey, look over there!' — a classic distraction technique, distracting us away from the real issues that they were voted into office to focus on: jobs, healthcare, keeping our children safe from harm at their own school," Ru said at the time, referencing *Drag Race *season 12* *winner Jaida Essence Hall's quote from a political debate challenge.

"We know that bullies are incompetent at solving real issues," RuPaul continued. "They look for easy targets so they can give the impression of being effective. They think our love, our light, our laughter, and our joy are signs of weakness, but they're wrong, because that is our strength. Drag queens are the marines of the queer movement. Don't get it twisted and don't be distracted. Register to vote so we can get these stunt queens out of office and put some smart people with real solutions into government."

Sasha Colby at the White House in 2023. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

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Other *Drag Race* alums have maintained a presence in political spaces, including season 15 winner Sasha Colby, who spoke at the White House in 2023 in favor of LGBTQ+ rights.

"Grateful beyond words for the incredible honor of speaking at [Vice President] Kamala Harris annual Pride Month celebration at the White House. A heartfelt thank you to Vice President Harris and [GLAAD] for providing this platform to amplify LGBTQ+ voices. Together, we're forging a path towards equality, acceptance, and love," Sasha wrote on Instagram after the event.

*The View* airs weekdays on ABC. *Stop! That! Train!* is in theaters June 12, while *RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 11* is now streaming on Paramount+.

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Source: “EW Talk”