Schwarzenegger Critiques Newsom’s Claims on Redistricting
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has pushed back against current Governor Gavin Newsom’s assertion that the state’s proposed redistricting is just a temporary measure. He labeled it as “complete fantasy.”
During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Schwarzenegger expressed skepticism about Newsom’s claim. “I don’t think he is, when they say this is temporary, that’s not the case,” he said. He noted that often, government initiatives, especially those labeled as “temporary,” end up being anything but. “If this is a tax program, or if it’s a redistricting program, remember that anything that is temporary for the government is permanent,” he explained.
This week, voting commenced on adding up to five seats in the Democratic-held Congress, which could counterbalance President Donald Trump’s strategies in states like Texas for the upcoming 2026 election. President Obama also voiced his support for Proposition 50.
Schwarzenegger elaborated, mentioning potential long-term effects. “When the Independent Redistricting Commission comes back in 2032, they’re going to see continued gerrymandering in states like Texas, Ohio, and Florida. They’re going to conclude they must keep gerrymandering. This isn’t temporary; it’s simply a fantasy,” he remarked.
Redistricting Debate: Newsom’s Stance
In response to critics of Prop. 50, Newsom asserted that claiming moral high ground was irrelevant. Schwarzenegger criticized the redistricting move as deceptive, saying Democrats need to step up their game against Trump.
“Democrats must perform better than Mr. Trump. It’s a matter of competition and performance. The redistricting commission seems focused on manipulating district lines to capture votes, irrespective of what benefits the people,” he stated. “The American public is being misled by all of this, and that’s really the core issue.”
Schwarzenegger’s Perspective on Democracy
While acknowledging the necessity for political battles between Republicans and Democrats, Schwarzenegger emphasized that misrepresenting the California Constitution does not add up. “If you truly want to fight for democracy, why dismantle the California Constitution and start over?” he questioned.
On social media, Schwarzenegger also voiced his disagreement with redistricting efforts through a post featuring a gym selfie wearing a T-shirt that stated, “End Gerrymandering.”
Despite their opposing views, Schwarzenegger mentioned that he shares a cordial relationship with Newsom, and they have openly discussed this issue without resorting to personal attacks.
