Why Republicans Have Lost ALL RESPECT for Arnold Schwarzenegger

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00:00Arnold Schwarzenegger's life is a study in ambition, resilience, and reinvention.

00:14From a small Austrian village to the pinnacles of bodybuilding, Hollywood stardom, and political

00:19office, Schwarzenegger has continually defied expectations.

00:23His journey encompasses a celebrated career in bodybuilding, an iconic tenure in Hollywood,

00:29and a political career that balanced bold leadership with controversy.

00:33Despite his roots in conservatism, Schwarzenegger's stance on Donald Trump and his support for

00:37Kamala Harris in the most recent election have stirred mixed reactions within the Republican

00:42Party.

00:43His life, career, and politics.

01:12Schwarzenegger's entry into bodybuilding began in his teenage years.

01:16Born on July 30, 1947, in the Austrian village of Tal, he grew up in a modest household under

01:22the strict discipline of his father, Gustav Schwarzenegger.

01:26Austria in the aftermath of World War II was a nation in recovery, and Arnold's childhood

01:31was shaped by economic hardship and societal rebuilding.

01:34Yet, from a young age, Schwarzenegger displayed a unique drive and a passion for physical

01:40fitness.

01:41Inspired by bodybuilding legends like Reg Park and Steve Reeves, Schwarzenegger pursued

01:46the sport with unmatched determination.

01:49At 15, he began lifting weights seriously, and by 18, he had won the Junior Mr. Europe

01:54title.

01:55His dedication to training and his relentless pursuit of perfection led him to relocate

02:00to Munich, where he trained with some of the best athletes in the world.

02:04In 1968, Schwarzenegger moved to the United States, a decision that transformed his career.

02:10He quickly rose to prominence in the international bodybuilding scene, winning his first Mr.

02:15Olympia title in 1970 at just 23 years old.

02:19He went on to win seven Mr. Olympia titles, becoming a global icon and the face of modern

02:25bodybuilding.

02:26His autobiography, The Education of a Bodybuilder, remains an inspiration for fitness enthusiasts

02:31worldwide.

02:32Schwarzenegger's Hollywood career began in the 1970s with modest roles in films like

02:37Hercules in New York.

02:38His breakout role came in 1982 with Conan the Barbarian, which showcased his imposing

02:43physique and natural charisma.

02:46Two years later, he cemented his stardom with The Terminator, directed by James Cameron.

02:50His portrayal of the relentless cyborg assassin became one of cinema's most iconic characters.

02:56Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Schwarzenegger delivered a series of blockbuster hits, including

03:02Predator, Total Recall, Terminator 2, Judgment Day, and True Lies.

03:06His blend of physicality, charm, and comedic timing set him apart from other action stars

03:11of his era.

03:13Films like Twins and Kindergarten Cop highlighted his versatility, showing that he could excel

03:18in comedic roles as well.

03:20By the mid-1990s, he was one of the biggest paid actors in Hollywood, commanding salaries

03:25in the tens of millions per film.

03:27His dominance in the industry continued into the early 2000s, though he began to shift

03:32his focus towards political aspirations.

03:36Schwarzenegger's upbringing in Tall was deeply influential in shaping his worldview.

03:40The son of a strict police officer, Arnold's early years were defined by discipline, austerity,

03:46and a strong work ethic.

03:47His father's authoritarian parenting style instilled resilience, while his modest social

03:52status fueled his desire to achieve greatness.

03:56Growing up in post-war Austria, he was acutely aware of the devastation caused by authoritarianism.

04:02His father's association with the Nazi Party, a fact that Arnold has openly acknowledged,

04:08left a lasting impression on him, leading him to reject extremism and value freedom

04:13and opportunity.

04:15His move to the United States in 1968 marked a turning point.

04:19He was inspired by the country's ethos of meritocracy and the opportunities it offered

04:24to those willing to work hard.

04:26His admiration for President Ronald Reagan played a pivotal role in aligning him with

04:30the Republican Party.

04:33Schwarzenegger identified with Reagan's message of self-reliance, limited government,

04:37and free-market economics.

04:38As a successful immigrant, Schwarzenegger became a staunch advocate for the idea that

04:43individuals could achieve anything through hard work and determination.

04:47These values resonated deeply with Republican principles, making him a natural fit for the

04:52party.

04:53Schwarzenegger officially entered politics in 2003, running as a Republican in California's

04:58gubernatorial recall election.

05:01His celebrity status, combined with his charisma and moderate platform, made him a formidable

05:06candidate.

05:07He won decisively and was sworn in as the 38th Governor of California.

05:11During his tenure, he sought to balance conservative fiscal policies with progressive social and

05:16environmental initiatives.

05:18He signed the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, making California a leader in climate

05:24change policy.

05:25He worked across party lines, often clashing with his own party, to achieve compromise.

05:30Despite budgetary challenges, Schwarzenegger pushed for measures to stabilize California's

05:35economy.

05:36Critics argued that Schwarzenegger's fiscal policies relied too heavily on borrowing,

05:40contributing to the state's financial difficulties.

05:43Some accused him of failing to deliver on his pledge to reform the state's education

05:48and pension systems.

05:49And while lauded for his green policies, some felt they didn't go far enough to address

05:54systemic environmental issues.

05:57Despite these challenges, Schwarzenegger's governorship was widely seen as a mix of ambition

06:01and pragmatism, reflecting his ability to navigate complex political landscapes.

06:07In recent years, Schwarzenegger has become a vocal critic of Donald Trump, distancing

06:11himself from the Republican Party's populist shift.

06:15He has condemned Trump's divisive rhetoric, denial of climate change, and attacks on democratic

06:20institutions.

06:22After the January 6th Capitol attack, Schwarzenegger released a powerful video comparing the insurrection

06:28to Kristallnacht, a reference to his Austrian heritage, and a warning against the dangers

06:33of extremism.

06:35His critique of Trump alienated him from many within the Republican Party, who viewed his

06:39stance as a betrayal.

06:41In the 2020 election, Schwarzenegger surprised many by expressing support for Kamala Harris,

06:47the Democratic vice presidential candidate.

06:50Though he stopped short of endorsing Joe Biden, his praise for Harris' leadership and his

06:54opposition to Trump solidified his break from Republican orthodoxy.

06:59The move drew sharp criticism from Republican loyalists, who accused Schwarzenegger of abandoning

07:04the party's principles.

07:05Many now view him as a sellout, a perception he has openly dismissed, emphasizing his commitment

07:11to country over party.

07:13When Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy for the presidency in 2015, Schwarzenegger's

07:18reaction surprised many of his fans and supporters.

07:21Schwarzenegger, a celebrated Republican, had long been associated with the values of individualism,

07:27self-reliance, and the American Dream, principles that seemed to align with the ethos Trump

07:32claimed to represent.

07:33But Schwarzenegger made it clear from the outset that he was not a supporter of Trump's

07:38campaign, a stance that shocked fans who had admired his alignment with conservative ideals

07:43and his tenure as a Republican governor of California.

07:46His opposition to Trump wasn't rooted in partisanship, but in a fundamental disagreement

07:51over the values Trump espoused.

07:53The former governor frequently criticized Trump's divisive rhetoric, which he believed

07:58undermined the unity and inclusiveness that defined America.

08:02Schwarzenegger, an immigrant who had achieved success through hard work and determination,

08:07saw Trump's policies and approach as antithetical to the optimistic, meritocratic vision of

08:12the United States that had inspired his own journey.

08:15This dissonance alienated some of Schwarzenegger's fans, particularly those who supported Trump.

08:21Some felt that Schwarzenegger, once a staunch advocate for conservative principles, had

08:25abandoned the very values he celebrated during his rise to prominence.

08:29Critics accused him of hypocrisy, arguing that his rejection of Trump's America First

08:34platform contradicted his own story as a self-made man who prospered under the opportunities

08:40afforded by the United States.

08:41Governor Schwarzenegger defended his position, emphasizing his commitment to true American

08:46values like democracy, inclusivity, and respect for institutions.

08:50He pointed to Trump's attacks on the media, refusal to address climate change, and inflammatory

08:56rhetoric as threats to the foundational principles of the country.

09:00Now it's time to hear from you.

09:02Do you think the backlash against Arnold Schwarzenegger will affect his acting career or his public

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