'It's bad politics': Why California Republicans are avoiding Donald Trump -- and muscling in behind Arnold Schwarzenegger

[In It to Win It]

SACRAMENTO, California — In the long-running feud between Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republicans in California’s redistricting wars are quickly settling on who they want — and don’t want — on their side.

On one hand is Schwarzenegger, the former governor and movie star who, in the name of reforms he championed over a decade ago, is preparing to “terminate” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gerrymandering campaign. He is, by one measure, the most popular Republican in the country.

On the other?

“Republicans in California aren’t talking about Trump and redistricting because it’s bad politics,” said Jon Fleischman, a political strategist and former executive director of the California GOP.

For years, Republicans in competitive races across the country have struggled with how closely to associate themselves with the polarizing president. But in this heavily Democratic state following a summer of broadsides from the administration — including immigration raids that unsettled even many Republicans — Trump-aversion is in full swing.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/06/california-republicans-muscling-behind-schwarzenegger-00546546

[SSJVegeta]

1. Arnold could easily become governor again. It could turn him into the leader of the Republican party

And dramatically moderate national politics.




...I guess.

[Tree Lady]

2. Californians are smarter than that

Not dumb sheep like Maga. I was living there then and I still remember how he bankrupted the state and got a lot of people to vote for him based on the fact of his wife being a dem. She didn't have any influence in his decisions.

[Wiz Imp]

3. Schwarzenegger is an asshole. Always has been.

Even if he's not fully MAGA, he deserves zero respect. Absolute scum.