Arnold Schwarzenegger recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to discuss his upcoming film, The Man With the Bag, and took the opportunity to delve into his views on the current political landscape as a self-identified Republican.
Reflecting on Republican Values
When Kimmel inquired about his allegiance to the Republican Party, Schwarzenegger asserted, “Yeah I’m a Republican, absolutely.” He elaborated on his interpretation of traditional Republican values, noting the party’s historic role in abolishing slavery. “This is the history,” he said. “Someone that has given those slaves American citizenship and has given them the right to vote is Republican.”
A Divergence in Ideals
Kimmel pointed out the apparent contradictions between Schwarzenegger’s views and current Republican ideology, remarking, “This sounds like all of the opposite things the Republican party stands for now though, doesn’t it?” In response, Schwarzenegger emphasized his commitment to his philosophy, referencing Ronald Reagan’s initiatives: “The Ronald Reagan philosophy, who created the air resources board in California so we can regulate our own air and reduce our greenhouse gases and pollution in California. That was done by Ronald Reagan, by a Republican. Nixon created the EPA… So those are the kind of Republicans that used to go and work together with the Democrats and got things done. This is the kind of Republican that I am.”
The Importance of Bipartisanship
Kimmel observed, “Unfortunately I think you’re the only one of them left,” to which Schwarzenegger replied, “No, I don’t think I’m the only one left. But this doesn’t mean that we should give up.” He elaborated on the cyclical nature of political power in the U.S., stating, “The bottom line is we have just seen now what some people call the blue wave. I call it a tidal wave or a tsunami. It’s not really a wave anymore.”
Schwarzenegger expressed concern about the failures of both political parties over the past 20 years, criticizing their inability to enact comprehensive immigration reform, address national debt, or establish an inclusive healthcare system: “And what happened in the last 20 years? None of them did true immigration reform. None of them participated in reducing our debt. None of them created a health care system where everyone is insured.”
Collaboration for Progress
He underscored the necessity for collaboration between parties, stating, “What you have to do is the Democrats and the Republicans have to work together like we did when I was governor of California.” He stressed that a focus on public service over party loyalty is essential for meaningful progress: “You have to get together and accomplish and be a public servant rather than a party servant. There’s a difference.”
Disagreement with Trump
In a separate part of the conversation, Schwarzenegger reflected on Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and his request for Schwarzenegger’s support. The former governor expressed that he couldn’t back Trump due to differences in viewpoints, particularly regarding climate change and pollution.
