Arnold Schwarzenegger Reaffirms Republican Identity in Viral Interview
Arnold Schwarzenegger declares himself a Republican, citing traditional values and Reagan’s legacy in a viral Jimmy Kimmel interview.
Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA/Wikimedia Commons
Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, where he confirmed his Republican affiliation and explained his philosophy amid ongoing changes in the party. The interview quickly went viral, with the full video amassing over 2 million views on the show’s YouTube channel.
Schwarzenegger’s Republican Identity and Philosophy
When asked by Jimmy Kimmel if he still identifies as a Republican, Schwarzenegger responded, “I’m a Republican, absolutely.” He described a “traditional Republican” as someone who admires the party for having freed the slaves and granting citizenship and voting rights to formerly enslaved people. Schwarzenegger acknowledged that this perspective contrasts with the current Republican Party stance but emphasized that it “doesn’t mean I have to change my philosophy.”
He aligned his beliefs with the “Ronald Reagan philosophy,” highlighting Reagan’s role in founding the California Air Resources Board to combat air pollution. Schwarzenegger also mentioned Republican Richard Nixon, another Californian, as the creator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He stressed that this brand of Republicanism was about cooperation with Democrats to “get things done.”
Calls for Bipartisan Cooperation
Schwarzenegger urged politicians to act as “public servants rather than party servants,” a statement that received enthusiastic applause during the interview. He reflected on the cyclical nature of party control in Congress, noting, “Now, the Democrats go in there and they have the majority. And then later on the Republicans are going to go in there and have the majority.”
However, he criticized both parties for failing to accomplish major reforms over the past two decades, including immigration reform, debt reduction, and universal health insurance. When Kimmel referenced the Affordable Care Act, Schwarzenegger dismissed it as a “good attempt” but ultimately “a failed” effort, citing rising healthcare costs. He insisted that only bipartisan efforts, like those during his tenure as governor, could produce meaningful results instead of partisan finger-pointing and name-calling.
On President Donald Trump and Their Relationship
Addressing his relationship with President Donald Trump, Schwarzenegger recalled that Trump sought his endorsement and campaign support in 2016, which Schwarzenegger declined due to disagreements on issues such as climate change. He said, “We talked to each other several times because we had a good relationship. We were very good friends.”
Schwarzenegger recounted telling Trump, “I like to be your friend,” but expressed disagreement with Trump’s stance on the environment. This candid admission underscores Schwarzenegger’s commitment to environmental issues despite political differences.
Schwarzenegger also alluded to his previous viral video in 2021 following the U.S. Capitol attack, where he called President Trump “a failed leader” and predicted he would be remembered as “the worst president ever.”
Newsweek has contacted Schwarzenegger’s representatives for further comment.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recent viral interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! highlights his enduring identification with a traditional, cooperative Republican philosophy focused on action and bipartisanship, even as the party evolves under President Trump’s leadership.
