Arnold Schwarzenegger says Republican Party has ‘changed’ on Real Time
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Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed on “Real Time” Friday whether he’s still a Republican.
He responded to host Bill Maher, who challenged whether what made the Austrian-born bodybuilder want to become a Republican “still applies” to the party today.
“Do you still think that’s the party? Do you still think that’s the Republican Party? What made you want to be a Republican, where are they today?” Maher asked.
The “Terminator” actor, who served as the last Republican governor of California from 2003 to 2011, argued that the Republican Party has “changed” before answering Maher’s question.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger was sworn in for a second term with his estranged wife Maria Shriver in January 2007 (Reuters).
“Bill, things are changing,” Schwarzenegger replied. “It’s obvious that it’s changed. I’m a traditional Republican.”
The former politician continued to praise the accomplishments of “great Republicans,” including former Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
“I’m a Republican like Lincoln, who ended slavery,” Schwarzenegger said. “He made sure that Black people had the right to vote. He made sure that the Republican Party at the time made sure that Black people became citizens of the United States… all that kind of stuff – Republicans did that.”
“The party has changed now… but that doesn’t mean we have to change,” he continued. “We must fight to take back the party and the philosophy.”
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Maher recalled when Schwarzenegger described his personal experience with socialism, quoting a “moving” speech he gave at the RNC in 2004.
Before Arnold Schwarzenegger became famous, he made great efforts to grow up in Austria. (Hulton Archive/Ethan Miller)
“You talked about growing up during a time when Vienna was effectively occupied,” Maher said.
“True, Austria was still occupied by the Russians,” Schwarzenegger said.
The late-night host noted that Schwarzenegger “didn’t know” what American political parties were before entering the country.
“So you’ve seen socialism firsthand,” Maher said. “You heard the Democrats speak, and I think you heard Nixon speak, and you heard the ideas of the Republican Party. And you said, ‘I’m a Republican.'”
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When it comes to today’s politics, Schwarzenegger emphasized that leaders need to reach across the aisle in negotiations.
“People should know that it is important that we serve the people, not parties,” he said.
He recalled: “[When] “I was in Sacramento, I met with Democrats, and I made it clear: I may disagree with you sometimes, but you are not my enemy.”
“I love working with you because together with the Republican brain and the Democratic brain, we have the ultimate brain power to actually get something done,” he continued.
California Governor Gavin Newsom looks on during a bill signing event to redraw the state’s congressional maps on August 21, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“But this is California,” Maher countered. “California is not America, California is one of those states, yes, it is one of those states where a moderate Republican governor can be successful because it is a very blue state.”
“Instead of hating each other, we should talk to each other,” Schwarzenegger emphasized. “Because that’s what people want and what people need.”
The former governor supported the creation of California’s independent redistricting commission; that commission would be suspended under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 amid the state’s redistricting battle.
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Newsom’s 2025 ballot measure aims to have the state legislature draw new maps to retaliate against redistricting efforts in Republican-controlled states like Texas.
