Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger: 9 moments in their journey from friends to political foes
From friends to foes: How Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger's relationship evolved over the years
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Donald Trump and Hollywood hunk Arnold Schwarzenegger once shared a close bond, with the ex-president being a political supporter and donor of the former California governor. However, the dynamics between the two celebrities-turned-politicians shifted dramatically over the years. Here's a glimpse at the complicated history between them.
1. Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger's friendly start at 2004 Republican National Convention
In 2004, Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared to be good friends, joking around at the Republican National Convention in New York. According to a 2016 article in Politico, Trump convinced Schwarzenegger to move his entourage from the Mandarin Hotel to one of Trump's hotels, a decision that reportedly annoyed Schwarzenegger's wife Maria Shriver.
2. Arnold Schwarzenegger's guest appearance on 'The Apprentice: Los Angeles'
In 2007, while serving as the governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger made a guest appearance on an episode of 'The Apprentice: Los Angeles'. He invited the contestants into his private conference room in Sacramento. At the time, Donald Trump referred to Schwarzenegger as a "great friend", showcasing the closeness of their relationship.
3. Donald Trump backs Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign
A testament to their friendship, Donald Trump donated $10,000 to help Arnold Schwarzenegger pay off debts from his 2006 re-election campaign. This generous contribution, however, drew criticism, with political watchdogs accusing the actor of leveraging his celebrity connections to address his political challenges.
4. Arnold Schwarzenegger as 'Celebrity Apprentice' host
In September 2015, NBC announced Arnold Schwarzenegger as the new host of 'Celebrity Apprentice' following Donald Trump's entry into the presidential race. NBC Universal had severed its business ties with the business tycoon after his controversial remarks about Mexicans. This transition marked a notable shift in their professional paths.
5. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorses Donald Trump's rival in GOP primary
During Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Arnold Schwarzenegger did not offer his support. Instead, he endorsed Ohio Governor John Kasich in the Republican primary. This endorsement was a clear indication of Schwarzenegger's differing political stance from the former president.
6. Arnold Schwarzenegger's public denouncement of Donald Trump
Even after Donald Trump secured the GOP nomination, Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly stated he would not vote for him. Avoiding mentioning him by name, the actor emphasized the importance of choosing the country over the party, saying, “It’s not only acceptable to choose your country over your party — it is your duty." This marked his public and decisive break from Trump.
7. Donald Trump's response to Arnold Arnold Schwarzenegger denouncing him
In January 2017, just weeks before his inauguration, Donald Trump ridiculed Arnold Schwarzenegger for the low ratings he was receiving as the host of 'Celebrity Apprentice'. Trump, a self-proclaimed "ratings machine", used this as a point of attack, similar to his previous jabs at Martha Stewart when she hosted her version of the reality show in 2005.
8. Arnold Schwarzenegger hits back at Donald Trump
In response to Donald Trump's mockery of his television show ratings, Arnold Schwarzenegger wished him luck. He further expressed hope that Trump would “work for ALL of the American people as aggressively as you worked for your ratings.” This was perceived by many as a subtle but clever critique of the former president's priorities.
9. National Prayer Breakfast incident
The tension escalated in February 2017 when President Donald Trump mocked Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Celebrity Apprentice' ratings during the National Prayer Breakfast, an event typically reserved for serious discourse. Trump urged the audience to "pray for Arnold", to which Schwarzenegger responded with a Facebook video suggesting they switch jobs, "You take over TV because you're such an expert in ratings. And I take over your job. And then people can finally sleep comfortably again," as quoted by The Wrap.
