Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals Donald Trump personally asked him to campaign during his 2016 presidential run. (Photo: Facebook)
Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed why he refused to campaign for Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential run, despite sharing a close friendship with him at the time. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday, November 11, Schwarzenegger said Trump’s views on climate change and pollution went against everything he had worked towards for years. The 79-year-old actor also spoke about why he continues to identify as a traditional Republican despite disagreeing with the party’s present-day direction, urging Democrats and Republicans to work together rather than prioritising party politics. Schwarzenegger, who became California’s governor in November 2003, recalled that Trump had personally approached him during his 2016 presidential campaign, asking him to endorse his candidacy and campaign alongside him.
Because of their differences over environmental issues, the two had shared a good relationship, but Schwarzenegger said he could not support Trump. Because of that issue alone, he further said that he could not campaign for Trump.
He asked me if I would go and endorse him and campaign with him,” Schwarzenegger told Jimmy Kimmel. Recalling his response, he said he told Trump that although he wanted to remain friends, he disagreed with several things the businessman-turned-politician stood for. “I said, ‘You don’t believe there is climate change. “Yeah, I’m a Republican, absolutely,” he replied.
“We had a good relationship; we were very good friends. Schwarzenegger specifically pointed to Trump’s position on climate change and pollution, explaining that environmental protection had been an important part of his own work for years. You don’t believe the threat of pollution,'” he recalled, adding that pollution kills millions of people and cannot simply be ignored. During the conversation, Kimmel also asked Schwarzenegger whether he still considered himself a Republican despite his disagreements with the party’s current political direction.
During the 2024 US presidential election, he publicly endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz.
The former California governor says ‘I’m a Republican’ and urges Democrats and Republicans to work together. (Photo: Facebook) The actor also spoke about the growing political divide in the United States and said neither party had done enough to address major issues despite repeatedly gaining power. Referring to the Democrats’ recent midterm gains, Schwarzenegger described the political shift as a “tidal wave or a tsunami” rather than simply a blue wave. “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 said.
Explaining what being a traditional Republican means to him, Schwarzenegger referred to the party’s historical role in ending slavery and granting African Americans citizenship and voting rights. When Kimmel pointed out that these values appeared to be at odds with what the modern Republican Party represents, Schwarzenegger responded that he did not need to change his own philosophy. He also cited former US presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, crediting Reagan with establishing California’s Air Resources Board and Nixon with creating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “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,” he explained. He argued that political power keeps moving between Democrats and Republicans, but important problems remain unresolved. He specifically mentioned immigration reform, national debt and healthcare, saying successive administrations and lawmakers had failed to find lasting solutions. Schwarzenegger also expressed support for immigration reform and a healthcare system that ensures everyone has coverage. During the conversation, he disagreed with Kimmel over the Affordable Care Act, describing it as a well-intentioned attempt that had not adequately addressed rising healthcare costs. He maintained that neither party could achieve meaningful progress by acting alone. He further emphasised that elected representatives should focus on serving citizens rather than their political parties. “You have to get together and accomplish and be a public servant rather than a party servant. There’s a difference,” he added. His latest remarks reinforce his position that political beliefs should not necessarily be dictated by party loyalty. The actor has repeatedly spoken about the importance of environmental protection and bipartisan cooperation. Schwarzenegger appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote his upcoming film The Man With the Bag. His conversation with Kimmel covered his Hollywood career, political identity, friendship with Trump and his views on the changing Republican Party. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Despite identifying as a Republican, Schwarzenegger has previously taken positions that put him at odds with the party’s presidential leadership.
