Arnold Schwarzenegger has made it clear that his disagreements with Donald Trump and the modern Republican Party have not changed his political identity.
The actor and former California governor continues to identify as a Republican, arguing that the party’s traditional principles remain an important part of his political philosophy.
Schwarzenegger discussed his views during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 11, 2026, while promoting his upcoming Christmas film, The Man with the Bag. During the conversation, he explained why he remains connected to the Republican Party despite growing differences over its current political direction.
The 79-year-old actor pointed to the party’s historical role in ending slavery and securing citizenship and voting rights for formerly enslaved Americans. He also praised the environmental policies associated with former Republican presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, arguing that political leaders once demonstrated a greater willingness to work across party lines.
His comments offered a pointed reflection on America’s political divisions and the growing distance between traditional Republican values and the party’s present-day leadership.
Schwarzenegger Explains Why He Still Identifies as a Republican
During the interview, Jimmy Kimmel directly asked Schwarzenegger whether he still considered himself a Republican despite his disagreements with the party’s current leadership.
The actor did not hesitate.
“Yeah, I’m a Republican, absolutely,” Schwarzenegger said.
He explained that his understanding of traditional Republicanism is closely connected to the party’s historical role in ending slavery and advancing the rights of formerly enslaved Americans.
Kimmel questioned whether those historical principles still reflected the Republican Party’s current political positions.
Schwarzenegger acknowledged the differences but insisted that changes within a political party should not force individuals to abandon their personal beliefs.
“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean I have to change my philosophy,” he responded.
His remarks highlighted the distinction between supporting a political party’s historical legacy and agreeing with every position taken by its current leadership.
The full conversation is available in the official ABC interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Why Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon Still Influence Schwarzenegger
Schwarzenegger also referred to former Republican presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon as examples of political leadership that continues to influence his beliefs.
He specifically highlighted their contributions to environmental protection, arguing that important environmental initiatives were once supported by Republican administrations.
One example was Reagan’s approval of the Mulford-Carrell Air Resources Act in 1967, which established the California Air Resources Board.
According to the California Air Resources Board’s official history, Reagan signed the legislation on August 30, 1967, creating a statewide agency to address California’s serious air pollution problems.
Schwarzenegger also credited Nixon with establishing the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970.
The EPA’s official historical account confirms that Nixon signed Reorganization Plan No. 3 in July 1970, calling for the agency’s establishment. The EPA formally began operating later that year.
For Schwarzenegger, these examples demonstrate that environmental protection was once an area where Republican leaders took significant action and worked toward broader national objectives.
He argued that this willingness to cooperate with Democrats is an important part of the Republican tradition he continues to support.
Kimmel jokingly suggested that Schwarzenegger might be one of the last Republicans who still holds such views.
The former governor disagreed, maintaining that he was not alone in believing that traditional political principles still matter.
Schwarzenegger Says Both Political Parties Have Failed to Address Major Problems
The discussion also turned to America’s ongoing political challenges, with Schwarzenegger expressing disappointment in both Republicans and Democrats.
He argued that neither party has delivered meaningful solutions to several longstanding national problems, despite repeatedly gaining political power.
Among the issues he highlighted were comprehensive immigration reform, the growing national debt and the lack of universal healthcare coverage.
Schwarzenegger questioned why these problems continue to dominate American political debates without producing lasting solutions.
He suggested that the country’s political system has become increasingly focused on competition between the two parties rather than finding practical answers to issues affecting ordinary Americans.
His criticism extended beyond Republican leadership, making it clear that he believes Democrats also share responsibility for the lack of progress.
The former California governor argued that political success should be measured by the ability to solve problems, not simply by winning elections or gaining control of Congress.
Former California Governor Calls for Greater Bipartisan Cooperation
Drawing on his experience as California governor from 2003 to 2011, Schwarzenegger emphasized the importance of cooperation between Republicans and Democrats.
He argued that neither party can effectively address complicated national issues by pursuing its agenda without considering the concerns and contributions of the other side.
According to Schwarzenegger, lawmakers need to move beyond political arguments, personal attacks and partisan competition if they genuinely want to deliver results.
He also stressed the difference between serving a political party and serving the public.
His argument was that elected officials should prioritize the interests of the American people rather than treating party loyalty as their primary responsibility.
This perspective reflects a central theme of his political philosophy: meaningful progress requires compromise, cooperation and a willingness to work with people who hold different political beliefs.
A separate report by Rolling Stone on Schwarzenegger’s call for Republicans and Democrats to work together also highlighted his criticism of Washington’s repeated failure to address immigration, national debt and healthcare.
Schwarzenegger’s Differences With Donald Trump Have Not Changed His Political Identity
Schwarzenegger’s latest comments come amid his longstanding disagreements with Donald Trump, particularly over environmental protection and climate change.
During the interview, he also discussed conversations with Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, when the future president reportedly asked him for an endorsement and campaign support.
Schwarzenegger explained that although they had maintained a friendly relationship, he was uncomfortable endorsing Trump’s political positions because of their differences on important issues.
Environmental protection and pollution were among the concerns he identified.
His political independence has also been evident in previous elections. In 2024, Schwarzenegger publicly endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris rather than supporting Trump.
His position demonstrates that he does not view Republican identity as an obligation to support every Republican candidate or policy.
In its coverage of the interview, TheWrap examined Schwarzenegger’s exchange with Kimmel over what it means to be a traditional Republican, highlighting the disagreement over whether the party’s historical principles remain relevant to its current political direction.
For Schwarzenegger, the answer appears straightforward: political beliefs should not change simply because a party evolves.
Schwarzenegger Wants Politicians to Put Public Service Ahead of Party Loyalty
Ultimately, Schwarzenegger’s conversation with Kimmel was about more than his continued identification with the Republican Party.
It reflected his frustration with an increasingly divided political environment in which major national problems often remain unresolved despite changes in government.
His references to Reagan and Nixon demonstrated the type of Republican leadership he admires, particularly their willingness to pursue environmental initiatives and cooperate on important public issues.
At the same time, his criticism of both political parties showed that he does not believe either side has done enough to address America’s most pressing challenges.
Despite his disagreements with Trump and the modern Republican Party, Schwarzenegger appears determined to maintain his political identity rather than change his philosophy to match the party’s current direction.
His message to American politicians is equally clear: public service should come before party loyalty, and meaningful progress requires Republicans and Democrats to work together.
