In a clash that feels more like a summer blockbuster than a policy debate, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has set his sights on current Governor Gavin Newsom. The “Terminator” isn’t just flexing his biceps anymore; he’s flexing his political influence, and Newsom may be wishing Judgment Day had stayed in the movies.
The Beef: Redistricting and Power Grabs
At the heart of the conflict is a move by Newsom that Schwarzenegger describes as a direct assault on democratic principles. Newsom has been pushing a plan to weaken the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission. This commission was a hard-won victory during Schwarzenegger’s tenure, designed to take the power of drawing election maps out of the hands of self-serving politicians and give it to a non-partisan body.
Schwarzenegger’s critique is characteristically blunt: “They are not interested in giving any power to the people. The only interest that they have is to take power away from the people and grab it themselves.”
The irony, according to Arnold, is that Democrats are using “fighting Trump” as a shield to justify dismantling fair election processes. “To fight for democracy and to get rid of your democratic principles… it doesn’t make any sense,” Schwarzenegger remarked.
Action vs. Aesthetics
The drama highlights a growing divide in how Californians view leadership. On one side is Newsom: the “Golden Boy” of progressive politics, known for polished speeches, national ambitions, and hair that remains perfectly in place even during a state of emergency. On the other is Schwarzenegger: the action hero who ran the state on a platform of “post-partisanship” and brute-force compromise.
Schwarzenegger’s jabs sting because they target Newsom’s perceived preference for “optics” over “substance.” While Newsom focuses on national brand-building and “TED Talk” style delivery, Schwarzenegger is reminding voters of a time when the Governor was more concerned with “fixing the potholes” than winning a Nobel Peace Prize.
The “F Politicians” Movement
Schwarzenegger isn’t just talking; he’s branding. A recent viral photo showed the 77-year-old wearing a t-shirt that read: “F the politicians. Terminate gerrymandering.”
While he remains a Republican, Arnold has long been a critic of both parties when it comes to rigging the system. He has called out Texas Republicans for mid-decade gerrymandering just as fiercely as he has gone after Newsom. His argument is simple: if you let politicians choose their voters rather than letting voters choose their politicians, the republic fails.
Why it Matters
California is currently facing a myriad of internal crises—from a housing shortage that has seen the median home price hover around $840,000, to a homelessness epidemic and a struggling power grid. Against this backdrop, Schwarzenegger’s “straight talk” is resonating with a public tired of polished incompetence.
When a former Governor who successfully worked across the aisle—passing landmark climate legislation and workers’ comp reform with Democratic majorities—calls the current leadership “unserious,” it carries weight.
The Verdict
Newsom continues to play it cool, relying on his PR-heavy approach to deflect the “Terminator’s” judgment. But in the arena of California politics, charisma is the ultimate currency. Arnold might not be on the ballot, but his presence is a reminder that in the Golden State, the original showman still knows how to command the stage.
As the fight over redistricting heats up, one thing is certain: Schwarzenegger is back, and he’s not going to let his legacy of “Power to the People” be terminated without a fight.