Arnold Schwarzenegger makes rare presidential endorsement

Arnold Schwarzenegger has made a rare presidential endorsement just six days before the 2024 election. 

The former Republican Governor of California – who refused to vote for Donald Trump in 2016 –  announced that he will be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

In the shocking endorsement, the actor wrote: ‘I don’t really do endorsements. I’m not shy about sharing my views, but I hate politics and don’t trust most politicians.’ 

Despite that, the Terminator star, 77, said that it’s time for the country ‘to move forward,’ and that ‘the only way to do that is with Harris and Walz.’ 

Along with his endorsement, the actor made a blistering assessment on Trump – and predicted the havoc he would wreak if he were to become president again.  

Schwarzenegger pictured with former President Donald Trump in 2015 

Schwarzenegger wrote: ‘We need to close the door on this chapter of American history, and I know that former President Trump won’t do that.

‘He will divide, he will insult, he will find new ways to be more un-American than he already has been, and we, the people, will get nothing but more anger.’

In his lengthy announcement, Schwarzenegger added: ‘Let me be honest with you: I don’t like either party right now. My Republicans have forgotten the beauty of the free market, driven up deficits, and rejected election results. 

‘Democrats aren’t any better at dealing with deficits, and I worry about their local policies hurting our cities with increased crime.

‘It is probably not a surprise that I hate politics more than ever, which, if you are a normal person who isn’t addicted to this crap, you probably understand,’ he said, adding that he wants ‘to tune out.’ 

He then touched on the controversial comment made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at the Madison Square Garden Trump rally Sunday, where he referred to Puerto Rico as ‘an island of garbage’.

Schwarzenegger said: ‘To someone like me who talks to people all over the world and still knows America is the shining city on a hill, calling America is 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 and Tim Walz.’

The actor’s statement made scathing hits at Trump – saying that he is a ‘candidate who will send his followers to storm the Capitol while he watches with a Diet Coke.’ 

This is not the first time he has publicly denounced Trump, as Schwarzenegger called him the ‘worst president ever’ in 2021, following the January 6 Capitol riots. 

The actor even called the MAGA riot ‘America’s Day of Broken Glass,’ comparing it to Kristallnacht, the night of mass attacks on Jews in Austria and Germany which presaged the Holocaust.

Schwarzenegger added that Trump’s elected enablers must be ‘held accountable’ as he issued a call for unity behind President-elect Joe Biden. 

Although the former actor has made no secret of his childhood with an abusive father who joined the Nazi party either just before or just after the German takeover of Austria in 1938, he has rarely spoken so emotionally about its impact.

Comparing 1930s Austria to modern America he said: ‘President Trump sought to overturn the results of an election and of a fair election. He sought a coup by misleading people with lies.

‘My father and our neighbors were misled also with lies. I know where such lies lead.’

The 38th governor of California, who served from 2003 to 2011, rarely endorses political candidates. 

The Terminator star, 77, said that it’s time for the country ‘to move forward,’ and that ‘the only way to do that is with Harris and Walz’ 

Schwarzenegger speaks to a crowd in 2003

John McCain (right) is joined by then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger during a campaign rally in 2008

Schwarzenegger, right, with President George Bush in 2003

He previously endorsed Ohio Governor John Kasich as the Republican presidential ticket in 2020. 

At the time, he compared Kasich’s governing style to the ‘compassionate conservatism’ of former President George W. Bush.

Schwarzenegger’s endorsement for Harris on Wednesday harked back to the political message he put out in October 2016 – during Donald Trump’s first attempt at taking the White House.

Eight years ago, the actor joined the list of prominent Republicans who denounced Trump, and said he would not be voting for him.

Trump ended up winning the election against Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016.

At the time, Schwarzenegger did not specifically use Trump’s name in his statement – but posted on Instagram telling his fans that he would not vote for the Republican candidate for president.

The former Governor of California said it would be the first time since he became an American citizen in 1983 that he would not be casting a ballot for the GOP.

Previously, Schwarzenegger also revealed – ahead of the 2020 election – that he ‘doubted’ he would be voting for Trump in his race against Joe Biden. 

His statement today followed suit – as he told followers that he will be voting blue in 2024.

Austrian-born bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger flexing his muscles during his athletic heyday 

Current Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, smiles with Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1984 movie The Terminator

Just last year, Schwarzenegger said he was still comfortable identifying with the Republican Party and said it’s time to stop ‘villainizing’ people if you don’t see eye-to-eye. 

The former California governor, actor and legendary bodybuilder said in a 2023 interview that he doesn’t view Republicans in Congress, including some of the more radical GOP personalities, as ‘crazies’ like others perceive.

‘Do you still feel at home in the Republican party?’ NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked Schwarzenegger.

‘Absolutely,’ the former governor answered unequivocally. ‘When I go up to Capitol Hill and I meet with my Republican colleagues, I have a great time meeting with them and talking about the environment and talking about the important issues and all that stuff.’

Schwarzenegger added: ‘I don’t look at them as kind of crazies like some people do.’

‘There is some people that are extreme. But there’s no reason to villainize anybody,’ he said.

Schwarzenegger, an Austrian native, became a naturalized citizen in 1983 – and has previously spoken about how he would run for president if he could.

However it is impossible for him to run for president, in a country where only natural-born citizens – born either in the United States or on foreign soil from at least one US citizen parent – can hope to become president or vice-president.

The actor used to be married to Maria Shriver, the niece of 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy

The former couple tied the knot the following year in 1986 during a romantic ceremony at the Kennedy family home in Massachusetts

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver, and their children

Arnold Schwarzenegger with his ex-wife Maria Shriver in their younger years

The actor – who revealed that he will be voting Democrat just six days before the election – also used to be married to Maria Shriver, from the Kennedy family.

Schwarzenegger first crossed paths with Maria, the niece of 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, at a tennis match in August 1977. The two became engaged after Arnold popped the big question to Shriver in his home country of Austria in 1985.

The former couple tied the knot the following year in 1986 during a romantic ceremony at the Kennedy family home in Massachusetts, and expressed that it had been the ‘biggest wedding I’ve ever been to’ and gushed that he felt he was ‘the luckiest son of a b***h in life.’

Throughout the course of their 25-year marriage, the pair welcomed daughters Katherine and Christina, as well as sons, Patrick and Christopher who was born mere days before his other son, Joseph, was born.