Schwarzenegger Says He Remains Republican, Urges Cooperation

Arnold Schwarzenegger said he remains a Republican and urged Democrats and Republicans to work together, describing his political outlook during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 11.

Asked by Jimmy Kimmel whether he still identified with the party, Schwarzenegger answered, “I’m a Republican, absolutely.” He said his philosophy was shaped by the party’s history, including its role in ending slavery and establishing citizenship and voting rights for formerly enslaved people. Those were historical points Schwarzenegger cited to explain his political identity, rather than an assessment of the party’s present-day record.

Schwarzenegger also pointed to former Republican presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, citing Reagan’s creation of California’s Air Resources Board and Nixon’s establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. He said he admired Republicans who worked with Democrats and described that approach as the kind of Republican he is. Kimmel questioned whether those historical positions matched the Republican Party today; Schwarzenegger replied that he did not need to change his philosophy.

The former California governor argued that neither party could...