Arnold Schwarzenegger Calls Newsom's Redistricting Plan 'Total Fantasy'
Arnold Schwarzenegger speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Terminator: Dark Fate", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is not holding back. The former governor has doubled down on his criticism of Gavin Newsom's redistricting plan, calling it a "total fantasy" and firing back at CNN's Jake Tapper for blaming Republicans alone, as reported by the New York Post. Schwarzenegger insists both parties have been manipulating congressional maps for centuries, warning this fight isn't about reform but a bipartisan power grab hiding behind claims of democracy.
'Total Fantasy' and the Illusion of Temporariness
Schwarzenegger made his sharp critique on CNN's "State of the Union," responding to Newsom's claim that California's Proposition 50 redistricting effort was temporary. Newsom's plan aims to redraw districts, with proponents estimating it could add up to five Democratic‑held seats — seen as a counter to Republican efforts in states like Texas aiming to secure GOP control in 2026 elections.
Schwarzenegger dismissed the idea that such redistricting would be short-lived, noting that government programs labeled as temporary tend to become permanent. "The longest programs are government programs that are temporary," he told CNN, as reported by the New York Post. He predicted that when the independent redistricting commission returns in 2032, excuses will be made to prolong gerrymandering — implying Newsom's plan is just a temporary mask for ongoing manipulation.
Newsom responded directly to critics with a blunt "spare me the moral high ground," signaling a firm stance in defending Proposition 50, as reported by the New York Post.
Bipartisan Blame and the Power of Manipulation
Schwarzenegger didn't stop there. He took on CNN's Tapper for suggesting Republicans are mainly responsible. According to The Daily Wire, Schwarzenegger pushed back, asserting that gerrymandering has been bipartisan for 200 years. "No, Jake. There has been gerrymandering going on for 200 years," he said, citing examples like Massachusetts where 40% of voters supported Trump but the state sent no Republicans to Congress. Similarly, in New Mexico, according to Schwarzenegger, 45% backed Trump but no Republicans won seats.
He argued both parties manipulate district lines to their advantage, calling the practice "cheating," as reported by the New York Post. Schwarzenegger said Democrats should instead outperform Trump through competition. "What the Democrats should do is they should outperform Trump," he stated. "To me, it's all about competition creates performance ... So the American people get cheated on this whole thing. That is really the problem here."
He championed independent commissions to stop this abuse, noting, "We wanted to try to stop it in California, and we did," as reported by The Daily Wire. Yet, he warned that mid-decade efforts threaten to undo the progress made, returning control to politicians who will manipulate districts for partisan gain.
Threatening Democracy and the Constitution
He further questioned Newsom's push to overhaul California's constitution, asking why anyone would want to tear it up to redraw maps. Schwarzenegger argued that such moves undermine democracy. "Why would you go in, destroy the Constitution in California, tear it up and redo it?" he asked. "So to me, it just doesn't make any sense at all," he said, warning that the current push risks cheating the public out of fair representation, as reported by the New York Post.
Friendly Relations and the Fight Ahead
Despite the rhetoric, Schwarzenegger and Newsom are said to have maintained a friendly relationship, with Schwarzenegger posting a "terminate gerrymandering" t-shirt at the gym as a symbol of ongoing activism, as reported by the New York Post.
The fight over redistricting isn't just a California issue. As voting on Proposition 50 is underway, the stakes extend nationally. Schwarzenegger warns that the independent commission, which is supposed to return in 2032, could be pressured to continue gerrymandering, under the guise of preserving fairness, predicting that excuses will likely be made in multiple states, making it a challenge to establish lasting reform.
Meanwhile, the bipartisan manipulation of district maps remains a core issue, with both parties accustomed to drawing districts for their own benefit. Schwarzenegger's insight highlights that this problem has persisted across party lines far longer than recent debates suggest.
The California vote on Proposition 50 will reveal whether voters support Newsom's effort to reshape districts or see it as a power grab threatening constitutional principles. Schwarzenegger urges stronger competition — not map manipulation — to defend democracy, emphasizing the long-term implications.
As the fight unfolds, the outcome could influence congressional control for years. Schwarzenegger's warnings underscore that the struggle for fair maps is really a struggle for the soul of American democracy — one that is far from over.
References: Arnold Schwarzenegger dismisses Newsom argument that redistricting effort is temporary as 'total fantasy' | Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminates Jake Tapper's Effort To Blame GOP For Gerrymandering
