- Arnold Schwarzenegger surprises with election endorsement
- Star thanks those who disagree with his views
- Continues a long track record of defying expectations
Long-time Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger has surprised fans by endorsing the campaigns of Democratic presidential nominees Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Posting a lengthy message to X on Wednesday 30 October, The Terminator star explained that he didn’t “like either party right now” but has decided to back the Democrats over his own party because he’s “an American before I am a Republican.”
The endorsement comes just a few days before America heads to the polls for a presidential election that’s reported to be neck-and-neck between Harris and Walz and Republicans Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Schwarzenegger has also been praised for allowing a forum where those with differing views can discuss politics in an open and hopefully respectful manner.
It’s something few expected. However, Schwarzenegger has a long history of going against the grain. Here are just a few times that the Austrian star has defied expectations…
He became a bodybuilding world champion
Born in the little Austrian village of Thal in 1947, escaping a shattered post-war Europe and emerging as an international bodybuilding champion was far from a likely career trajectory for this future star.
However, after discovering bodybuilding during his teenage years, a young Schwarzenegger enlisted a regimented training regime with English bodybuilder Reg Park as his idol and guide.
The hard work paid off. Schwarzenegger soon won Mr. Europe at just 19 years old before embarking on a winning streak that saw him snag Mr. Universe five times and secure seven Mr. Olympia wins.
Schwarzenegger’s success was instrumental in bringing the sport to the attention of audiences. Not bad for a kid from small-town Austria.
He became an unlikely Hollywood star
Not content with reaching unparalleled heights in the world of bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger soon set his sights on acting with a dream of becoming a major marquee star.
However, despite gaining recognition in America thanks to his unique physique, there were a few challenges in the way – most notably a language barrier. Undeterred, Schwarzenegger took classes to try and lose his accent – something that he later joked that he may be due a refund for.
However, after a number of bit-parts with stars like Lucille Ball, Schwarzenegger found his niche in 1982’s Conan The Barbarian before filmmaker James Cameron made his marquee dreams a reality by casting him as a killer robot in 1984’s The Terminator.
He became a comedy star
After The Terminator, Schwarzenegger embarked on a big-screen run that’d see him become one of the biggest action stars of the next two decades.
Roles in films like 1985’s Commando, 1986’s Raw Deal and 1987’s The Predator spearheaded a new macho, muscle-bound action genre counterbalanced by America’s gruff Ronald Reagan-run politics. Together, it made action one of the most bankable box office investments.
While most would be happy with this legacy, Schwarzenegger had his sights set on reinvention – and by teaming with filmmaker Ivan Reitman and actor Danny DeVito, he managed to defy expectations once more to successfully make this transition with 1988’s Twins.
It was a move he doubled down on during the years following in movies like 1990’s Kindergarten Cop – and even now, the star is known for his gags as well as his glutes.
He became California Governor
Odds are you might be detecting a bit of a theme running through Schwarzenegger’s life and career. By the time the ’90s had reached their end, he had turned his attention from acting towards politics and decided to risk it all by running for – and winning – the role of California Governor in 2003.
The move was surprising – not least of all because his wife at the time, Maria Schriver, came from a family famous for their Democratic leanings. Despite this, long-time Republican Schwarzenegger served as Governor until 2007 and while he remains ineligible for a presidential candidacy, he remains vocal and passionate about the direction America takes.
It’s something that continues to this day and was hit home once more during his recent presidential endorsement.
