Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey joined Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to speak in Salt Lake City on Friday as he continues to explore a potential run for Texas governor.
He spoke at the National Governors Association’s summer meeting, which convened governors from across the country at the Grand America Hotel this weekend to discuss various issues including state and federal partnership. Cox is the chair of the association, and Polis serves as vice chair.
“We’re in a battle for facts right now; we’re in a battle for truth.” McConaughey said, commenting on the state of American politics.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Spencer Cox and Matthew McConaughey shake hands at the National Governors Association’s summer meeting in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024.
The event was part of Cox’s “Disagree Better” initiative, which aims to promote healthy conflict among voters and elected officials alike during a time of increased polarization.
“You can’t have unity without confrontations,” McConaughey said. “We’re not having real confrontation right now.”
He emphasized the need for “more belief” in America, whether in God, ourselves, our neighbors, or the country, though McConaughey noted “it’s harder to sell that.”
[WATCH: Matthew McConaughey speaks in Salt Lake City]
Cox responded positively to McConaughey’s comments, saying “I‘m just trying to imagine a presidential candidate like this, talking about belief — in something bigger than ourselves, in each other, in our neighbors, laying out a positive vision for the country. We just don’t see that anymore.”
McConaughey has floated the idea of running for Texas governor before. In 2021, he ultimately decided against it, The Texas Tribune reported, but he has since continued to explore the possibility of running for political office.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Matthew McConaughey speaks at the National Governors Association’s summer meeting in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024.
On Friday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy asked if that’s still a path he’s pondering.
“I’m on a learning tour,” McConaughey replied. “I have been for probably the last six years.”
That tour, he said, involves learning more about what the role would entail and whether he would be a good fit, noting, “On days like this, I’m learning a lot.”
McConaughey was not the event’s only guest. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed those gathered for the National Governors Association’s summer meeting Friday. He arrived in Salt Lake City fresh from the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C.