Schwarzenegger explains what being a traditional Republican means to him

Arnold Schwarzenegger says his Republican identity is rooted in the party’s history, and he has no intention of changing his political outlook. The actor and former California governor also said his views on climate change kept him from endorsing Donald Trump in 2016.

Party identity

On “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Schwarzenegger recalled working cordially with his predecessor, Democrat Gray Davis. Their friendly interaction at a charity event, he said, showed that Republicans and Democrats could work together without treating one another as enemies.

Kimmel asked whether Schwarzenegger still considered himself a Republican. He said he did, then described his traditional Republican outlook as one that respects the party’s role in ending slavery and advancing citizenship and voting rights.

Kimmel noted that this history might seem at odds with what the party represents today. Schwarzenegger replied that he didn’t see a reason to abandon his own principles.

He described his politics as drawing from both Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, and pointed to environmental policies he supported, including the creation of California’s Air Resources Board and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Climate concerns

Schwarzenegger said his commitment to environmental issues was the main reason he did not endorse Trump in 2016. He recalled telling Trump in a phone call that he could be his friend, but couldn’t support him because Trump did not treat climate change and pollution as serious concerns.

Schwarzenegger said Trump responded that he understood and held no grudge.

Working across party lines

The conversation was largely friendly, with Kimmel and Schwarzenegger agreeing that cooperation between parties matters. Schwarzenegger said Kimmel was more liberal than he was, while Kimmel suggested they shared views on most issues.

Schwarzenegger argued that neither party could make good policy by acting alone. He said lawmakers had failed to pass meaningful immigration reform, reduce the national debt or create a health care system that insured everyone.

When Kimmel suggested that one party had at least tried to address health care, apparently referring to Barack Obama, Schwarzenegger dismissed the point. If either party acts alone, he said, the result is “bogus.”