Former Republican Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election.
The former action star and politician, known for his works across both parties during his time in office, declared his support for Ms Harris in a statement on X on Wednesday, calling Mr Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election “disqualifying.”
Mr Schwarzenegger, who served as governor of California between 2003 and 2011, has long expressed frustration with the current state of American politics, particularly with the Republican Party’s handling of issues such as deficits and election integrity.
In his statement, Mr Schwarzenegger addressed his disillusionment with both political parties, noting that he doesn’t “really do endorsements” and has grown to “hate politics” more than ever.
The actor-turned-politician acknowledged that many Americans share his frustration with a country that feels increasingly unrecognizable.
“You don’t recognize our country. And you are right to be furious,” he wrote.
Mr Schwarzenegger’s critique extended to politicians who, in his view, have done little to address long-standing issues such as national debt and immigration reform, instead using the problems to fuel division and win elections.
However, his sharpest words were reserved for Mr Trump, whose refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election, Mr Schwarzenegger said, is “as un-American as it gets.”
He condemned Mr Trump’s leadership, describing his presidency as full of “bullshit with no results,” and warned that re-electing him would only lead to further division and anger in the country.
He acknowledged his disagreements with the Democratic platform but said that electing Ms Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was the only way to move the country forward.
“We need to close the door on this chapter of American history,” Mr Schwarzenegger said, calling on voters to help turn the page on the divisiveness that has marked recent years.
His message was a plea for unity and an end to the political rancour that he believes Mr Trump continues to perpetuate.
