Arnold Schwarzenegger Discusses LA Protests on Jimmy Kimmel
Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke with Jimmy Kimmel recently, expressing concerns that the media has portrayed Los Angeles as a “war zone.” He pointed out that the anti-ICE protests are affecting only a tiny fraction of the city, estimating that “probably 0.001% of the Los Angeles area are in trouble.” Schwarzenegger emphasized that he doesn’t want the city’s tourism to suffer due to sensationalized televised coverage of these demonstrations.
In response to the recent violent protests, President Donald Trump has activated approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines. These measures were taken after mobs took to the streets, resulting in property damage and clashes with law enforcement.
On the show, Kimmel laughed at how the media has characterized the situation, describing it as a “kind of totalitarian hellish landscape.” Schwarzenegger agreed, further insisting that the issue is exaggerated. He mentioned that the chaos is limited to such a small part of the city and that it shouldn’t be generalized to reflect the entire region.
Kimmel supported Schwarzenegger’s viewpoint, stating that “none of Los Angeles is a war zone.” Schwarzenegger attributed the protests to the failure of politicians to address immigration reform over the years, suggesting that if they did their jobs properly, such protests might not even occur.
“Democrats and Republicans—neither party is truly interested in solving this issue,” he remarked. He noted that they often use the situation as a fundraising tool rather than tackling it head-on. It was frustrating for him, as he believes politicians are supposed to serve the public, not just their party affiliations.
He expressed disillusionment with the political landscape, comparing the symbols of the two parties and criticizing their approach to serious matters like immigration, calling for true civil service instead of party loyalty. In the end, Schwarzenegger’s remarks reflect larger frustrations about political stagnation and media perception in times of unrest.
