- Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said he is still “at home” in the GOP
- Claims that despite ‘extreme’ members of his party, he doesn’t consider them ‘crazies’
- Schwarzenegger recently said he would make a “good” president even though he could never legally do so since he was born in Austria
Arnold Schwarzenegger said he still feels comfortable with the Republican Party and said it’s time to stop “villainizing” people when you disagree with each other.
The former California governor, actor and legendary bodybuilder said he doesn’t view Republicans in Congress, including some of the more radical Republican personalities, as “crazies” as others see.
Austrian-born Schwarzenegger is constitutionally barred from running for president of the United States — but he said this week he thinks he would make a “good” president.
“Do you still feel at home in the Republican Party?” NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked Schwarzenegger.
“Absolutely,” the former governor responded unequivocally. “When I go to Capitol Hill and meet my Republican colleagues, I have a great time talking to them and talking about the environment and the important issues and all that stuff.”
Schwarzenegger added, “I don’t look at them as some kind of lunatics the way some people do.”
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Sunday that he still feels “at home” in the Republican Party, and despite the “extreme” members of his party, he doesn’t consider them “crazies”
‘There are people who are extreme. But there is no reason to harm anyone,” he said.
He is likely referring to some of the more radical far-right members of the Republican Party who have made headlines in recent years, such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz.
For two terms from 2003 to 2011, Schwarzenegger served as California’s 48th governor as a Republican. He also chaired the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for both Presidents George HW Bush and Bill Clinton.
“I feel like I would be a great president,” Schwarzenegger said recently in an interview with the BBC. “But at the same time, I feel like everything I’ve accomplished is thanks to America.”
“I mean, okay, there’s the Constitution. We absolutely need immigration reform to change that. But it would be a bit selfish if I tried to change the law,” he added.
Although Schwarzenegger cannot run for president, he named several who he thinks stand out as good leaders for the country amid a contentious 2024 White House race that many believe will result in a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
“You have been very critical of former President Trump. Is there a candidate in that field who you think can provide the kind of leadership that is needed now?’ Welker asked Schwarzenegger.
“Well, you know, I don’t think we’re giving those people enough of a chance because it’s all Trump, Trump, Trump, Biden, Biden, Biden,” he complained.
Schwarzenegger told NBC News Meet the Press host Kristen Welker in an interview on Sunday that he thinks Senator Joe Manchin “stands out” as someone who could be president because he is “a centrist” — after saying earlier this month that he would have a good chance of becoming a ‘good’ president, even though he could not stand for election
“I think Joe Manchin is one of them that I think stands out because he’s kind of a centrist,” the former California governor said. “He’s from an energy state, but he’s a Democrat. So he knows the challenges and all that. But he’s one of the guys who I think is a real force.”
‘But there are many more. We just have to give – in general, without supporting anyone, I think we have to give people a chance to come forward,” he added.
Some argue that Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia is someone who could lead a third party, with the No Labels movement in particular appearing to be considering running him on a third party ticket in 2024.
Manchin has quashed these rumors, but has not 100 percent ruled out a run for president.