Overview
- In an Oct. 26 appearance with Jake Tapper, Arnold Schwarzenegger said politicians are trying to "out-cheat" one another through extreme redistricting.
- Pressed on whether Republicans started it, he said gerrymandering has persisted for 200 years and pointed to Massachusetts and New Mexico examples where Republicans hold zero House seats despite large Trump vote shares.
- He criticized Democrats for presenting themselves as victims, arguing both parties drive the problem and urging performance over map manipulation.
- He remains opposed to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to rework California’s districts, with Tapper noting polling of about 62% support for a related proposition.
- Coverage links his remarks to active map fights in states such as Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, reporting seven new Republican-friendly districts this year and noting social media focus on his appearance and his brief warning against Nazi idolization.