In a rare cross-party endorsement, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Republican governor of California, announced on Wednesday that he will be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. The surprising endorsement reflects Schwarzenegger’s disapproval of Donald Trump’s leadership style, which he says has been harmful to America’s unity and global reputation.
Schwarzenegger, who has long identified as a proud Republican, shared his thoughts in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “For someone like me, who talks to people all over the world and still knows America as the shining city on a hill, calling America a trash can for the world is so unpatriotic, it makes me furious. And I will always be an American before I am a Republican. That’s why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris.”
In his post, Schwarzenegger expressed frustration with Trump’s recent rhetoric, which he believes deepens divisions rather than bringing the country together. He stated that another term for Trump would result in “more anger, more division, and more insults.”
Referencing Trump’s recent remarks where he described the U.S. as a “garbage can for the world” while discussing immigration, Schwarzenegger argued that this view does not align with the values that should define American patriotism.
This isn’t the first time Schwarzenegger has spoken out against Trump. Following the January 6 Capitol riot, he publicly condemned Trump, calling him “the worst president in U.S. history” and emphasizing the need for Americans to unite.
In a 2023 interview with CNN, Schwarzenegger predicted Trump would lose the 2024 election, pointing out that the Republican Party had limited its future by remaining loyal to him. “It’s sad that they couldn’t come up with a new, reasonable, intelligent leader to guide the party,” he told CNN’s Dana Bash.
Schwarzenegger’s rift with Trump traces back to 2015, when he took over Trump’s reality show, “The Celebrity Apprentice.” After Schwarzenegger assumed the role, Trump criticized the show’s ratings, leading to a public exchange between the two, with Schwarzenegger suggesting, “Hey Donald, I have a great idea. Why don’t we switch jobs?” Schwarzenegger ultimately distanced himself from the show in 2017, symbolizing a deeper ideological split with Trump.
Despite supporting Harris, Schwarzenegger acknowledged that he does not align perfectly with the Democratic platform. “I want to move forward as a country, and even though I have plenty of disagreements with their platform, I think the only way to do that is with Harris,” he said.
With Election Day approaching, Schwarzenegger’s endorsement of Harris underscores a commitment to values he feels are essential for national unity. Breaking away from traditional party lines, his support reflects a choice driven by his vision for America’s future rather than loyalty to a political label.
