'I’m a Republican, absolutely’: Schwarzenegger stands firm as Jimmy Kimmel questions his loyalty
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Arnold Schwarzenegger was put on the spot about his political loyalties after Democrats' strong performance in the US midterm elections reignited debate over the Republican Party's internal divisions.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's show on Wednesday, November 11, the former California governor faced questions about his Republican identity, his past ties with President Donald Trump, and what ultimately drove a wedge between the two.
Jimmy Kimmel: With that said, are you still a republican? Arnold Schwarzenegger: Yeah, I'm a republican. Absolutely. Jimmy Kimmel: What does that even mean? Arnold Schwarzenegger: A traditional republican is someone that admires the republican for having freeing the slaves. Jimmy Kimmel: We don't take credit for that anymore, come on. Arnold Schwarzenegger: This is what I'm about. Giving those slaves citizenship, giving them a right to vote. Jimmy Kimmel: This sounds like all the opposite things the republican party stands for. Arnold Schwarzenegger: This doesn't mean I have to change my philosophy, I have my philosophy. The Reagan philosophy who created the resources for California to regulate our own air and reduce the greenhouse gases and pollution in California. Nickson created the EPA, the environmental protection agency to protect our water. Those are the kinds of republicans that used to work together with the democrats to get things done.
— Jfash!🕷️ (@jfash_fi) November 12, 2026
Schwarzenegger defends Republican loyalty
Kimmel began by directly asking whether Schwarzenegger still considered himself a Republican.
The actor did not hesitate, responding, "Yeah, I'm a Republican. Absolutely."
But when the host pressed him on what that identity meant in today's political climate, Schwarzenegger offered a rather different definition of traditional Republican values.
He pointed to the party's historical role in ending slavery, saying a traditional Republican was someone who admired the party for "having freed the slaves."
He also highlighted the subsequent extension of citizenship and voting rights to formerly enslaved people.
Kimmel pushed back, suggesting the modern Republican Party no longer reflected those historical values.
"This sounds like all the opposite things the Republican Party stands for," Kimmel remarked.
Schwarzenegger, however, maintained that he did not have to abandon his beliefs because of the party's changing priorities.
"This doesn't mean I have to change my philosophy. I have my philosophy," he told Kimmel.
To explain his position, the former California governor invoked two Republican presidents whose environmental policies he continues to admire.
He credited Ronald Reagan with establishing California's Air Resources Board, which gave the state greater authority to regulate air pollution and tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
He also pointed to Richard Nixon, whose administration established the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 to protect the country's environment, including its water and air resources.
Jimmy Kimmel: "Has Donald Trump ever called and said "I would like you to support me, I would like you to help bridge the divide"? Because you bridge the divide quite well." Arnold Schwarzenegger: "When he ran for the first time, for the presidency in 2016, we talked to each other several times, and because we had a good relationship. We were very good friends and he asked me if i would campaign with him and I said 'Donald, I'll like to be your friend but it happens to be that there are certain things that you stand for that I don't believe in' " "For instance, the environment. I say; 'you don't believe in the threat of pollution, I know, I've worked on that issue for so many years. Pollution kills 7 million people and you want to ignore that?' " "I say; 'you're crazy? I cannot do that, I cannot go with you because of that issue alone' "
— Jfash!🕷️ (@jfash_fi) November 12, 2026
Schwarzenegger's ties with Trump
Schwarzenegger also revisited his past friendship with Trump, revealing that their political differences became apparent during the 2016 presidential campaign.
He told Kimmel that the two had spoken several times and shared a close relationship before Trump sought the White House.
Trump had even approached him to seek his endorsement and wanted him to campaign alongside him.
But Schwarzenegger said he could not agree to the request because of Trump's positions on environmental protection.
Recalling their conversation, he told Kimmel that he had made his reservations clear, telling Trump: "Donald, I'd like to be your friend, but there are certain things that you stand for that I don't believe in."
He specifically pointed to Trump's views on climate change and pollution, recalling that he had challenged him by saying, "You don't believe there is climate change. You don't believe that there's the threat of pollution."
Schwarzenegger added that he had spent years working on environmental issues and could not publicly support positions that contradicted those efforts. Trump, he said, understood his decision.
Their political differences continued in the years that followed.
Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Schwarzenegger broke with his party to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz.
In an October 30, 2024, statement, he explained his decision with the words, "I will always be an American before I am a Republican."
He also criticized Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results, calling it "as un-American as it gets."
Schwarzenegger said he wanted the country to move forward, arguing that his sense of responsibility as an American outweighed his loyalty to the Republican Party.
