Arnold Schwarzenegger Endorses Kamala Harris: 'Don't Recognize Our Country'

Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on Wednesday that he is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

"I don't really do endorsements. I'm not shy about sharing my views, but I hate politics and don't trust most politicians. I also understand that people want to hear from me because I am not just a celebrity, I am a former Republican Governor," the actor and former California governor wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

He continued: "I'm sharing it with all of you because I think there are a lot of you who feel like I do. You don't recognize our country. And you are right to be furious."

The longtime Republican added that he is supporting the Democratic presidential nominee because he "will always be an American before I am a Republican."

"That's why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz," he said.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger took aim at former President Donald Trump, telling his 5 million followers that "rejecting the results of an election is as un-American as it gets."

"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...a trash can for the world is so unpatriotic, it makes me furious," he said, referencing remarks delivered by the former president in Arizona last week where he compared the United States to a "garbage can for the world."

The former California governor went on to describe Trump as "a candidate who won't respect your vote unless it is for him" and "a candidate who has shown no ability to work to pass any policy besides a tax cut that helped his donors and other rich people like me but helped no one else."

Schwarzenegger added that Trump is a "candidate who thinks Americans who disagree with him are the bigger enemies than China, Russia, or North Korea."

"That won't solve our problems," he wrote. "It will just be four more years of bulls*** with no results that makes us angrier and angrier, more divided, and more hateful."

He continued: "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."

But despite his endorsement of Harris and his harsh words for Trump, Schwarzenegger explained that he does not agree with the Democrats on everything,

"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," he wrote.

Nonetheless, he explained: "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 and Walz."

"Vote this week. Turn the page and put this junk behind us. And even if you disagree with me, vote, because that's what we do as Americans," he concluded.

In response to his endorsement, Trump's campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told Newsweek: "Arnold Schwarzenegger thinks too highly of himself if he actually believes his endorsement will matter. He hasn't been relevant in 15 years."

Newsweek reached out to the Harris campaign for comment via email.

Schwarzenegger has consistently criticized Trump over the years. Their feud began in 2017 when Schwarzenegger succeeded Trump as host of the reality TV show Celebrity Apprentice. The former president frequently mocked Schwarzenegger's ratings as the new host of the NBC series, sparking an ongoing exchange of insults.

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in Berlin on September 17. The Republican endorsed Kamala Harris for president on October 30. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in Berlin on September 17. The Republican endorsed Kamala Harris for president on October 30. Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images

In September 2019, Schwarzenegger told Men's Health magazine that the root of their animosity is that the president is "in love" with him.

"He's in love with me. That's the reality of it. With Trump, he wants to be me," Schwarzenegger said.

In June 2023, Schwarzenegger told CNN anchor Chris Wallace that didn't believe that Trump could win a second term.

"You need the swing voters, you need the independents. And so the question is, can he do that? I believe he can't," Schwarzenegger said.

Schwarzenegger is one of several Republicans who have endorsed Harris. Last month, former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney voiced her support for the Democratic candidate.

"As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this. And because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris," Cheney said at Duke University.

Days later, Cheney's father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, said he planned to vote for Harris, as well.

Former Republican President Gerald Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, a registered Republican, also recently endorsed Harris.

"She recognizes the good and the greatness in our country," Ford Bales said of Harris.

"I know she will defend the rule of law and our Constitution. And I know she will work to bring all Americans together to move us beyond partisanship.

"That is what America deserves from our president."

Barbara Pierce Bush, one of Republican former President George W. Bush's daughters, endorsed Harris in an interview with People this week. Barbara Pierce Bush does not identify with any political party, however.

Other Republicans, including the Republican mayor of Waukesha, Wisconsin, the son of former presidential nominee and Senator John McCain, former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake and former Trump adviser Anthony Scaramucci, have also endorsed Harris.

In September, over 100 ex-Republican members of Congress and national security officials from Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Trump's administrations signed a letter endorsing Harris.

Update 10/30/24, 12:23 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 10/30/24, 2:48 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung.