Arnold Schwarzenegger makes rare presidential endorsement

Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he will be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election. 

The former Republican governor of California shared his shock endorsement on X Wednesday. 

'I don’t really do endorsements. I’m not shy about sharing my views, but I hate politics and don’t trust most politicians,' the actor wrote.

Despite that, the Terminator star, 77, said that it's time for the country 'to move forward,' and that 'the only way to do that is with Harris and Walz.' 

'We need to close the door on this chapter of American history, and I know that former President Trump won’t do that,' Schwarzenegger said. 

'He will divide, he will insult, he will find new ways to be more un-American than he already has been, and we, the people, will get nothing but more anger.'

In his lengthy announcement, Schwarzenegger added: 'Let me be honest with you: I don’t like either party right now. My Republicans have forgotten the beauty of the free market, driven up deficits, and rejected election results. 

'Democrats aren’t any better at dealing with deficits, and I worry about their local policies hurting our cities with increased crime.

'It is probably not a surprise that I hate politics more than ever, which, if you are a normal person who isn’t addicted to this crap, you probably understand,' he said, adding that he wants 'to tune out.' 

He then touched on the controversial comment made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at the Madison Square Garden Trump rally Sunday, where he referred to Puerto Rico as 'an island of garbage.' 

'To someone like me who talks to people all over the world and still knows America is the shining city on a hill, calling America is a trash can for the world is so unpatriotic, it makes me furious. 

'And I will always be an American before I am a Republican.

'That’s why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,' he added. 

The 38th governor of California, who served from 2003 to 2011, rarely endorses political candidates. 

He previously endorsed Ohio Governor John Kasich as the Republican presidential ticket in 2020. 

At the time, he compared Kasich's governing style to the 'compassionate conservatism' of former President George W. Bush, CBS News reported. 

Just last year, Schwarzenegger said he was still comfortable identifying with the Republican Party and said it's time to stop 'villainizing' people if you don't see eye-to-eye. 

The former California governor, actor and legendary bodybuilder said in a 2023 interview that he doesn't view Republicans in Congress, including some of the more radical GOP personalities, as 'crazies' like others perceive.

'Do you still feel at home in the Republican party?' NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked Schwarzenegger.

'Absolutely,' the former governor answered unequivocally. 'When I go up to Capitol Hill and I meet with my Republican colleagues, I have a great time meeting with them and talking about the environment and talking about the important issues and all that stuff.'

Schwarzenegger added: 'I don't look at them as kind of crazies like some people do.'

'There is some people that are extreme. But there's no reason to villainize anybody,' he said.