Editing Arnold Schwarzenegger (section)

== Public image and legacy ==
[[File:2562670 Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kuwait 2016.jpg|thumb|Schwarzenegger at [[Camp Buehring]] in Kuwait in 2016]]

Schwarzenegger was nicknamed the "Austrian Oak" in his bodybuilding days, "Arnie" or "Schwarzy" during his acting career,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 15, 2017 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger at University of Houston Commencement: 'None of Us Can Make It Alone' |url=https://time.com/4779796/arnold-schwarzenegger-university-of-houston-uh-commencement-graduation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303053846/https://time.com/4779796/arnold-schwarzenegger-university-of-houston-uh-commencement-graduation/ |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |access-date=March 2, 2021 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> and "the Governator" (a portmanteau of "Governor" and "Terminator") during his political career. He married [[Maria Shriver]], a niece of the former U.S. president [[John F. Kennedy]], in 1986. They separated in 2011 after he admitted to having fathered a child with their housemaid in 1997; their divorce was finalized in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2021 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver Officially Divorced |url=https://www.tmz.com/2021/12/28/arnold-schwarzenegger-maria-shriver-divorced-money-prenup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229000710/https://www.tmz.com/2021/12/28/arnold-schwarzenegger-maria-shriver-divorced-money-prenup/ |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=TMZ}}</ref>

Schwarzenegger has been involved with the [[Special Olympics]] for many years after they were founded in 1968 by his later mother-in-law [[Eunice Kennedy Shriver]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Charity: Special Olympics, After-School All-Stars |url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/05/04/cx_me_0505featslide_8.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828123849/http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/04/cx_me_0505featslide_8.html |archive-date=August 28, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2012 |work=Forbes}}</ref> In 2007, Schwarzenegger was the official spokesperson for the Special Olympics held in Shanghai, China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Charity Work, Events and Causes |url=http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/12-arnold-schwarzenegger |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113203057/http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/12-arnold-schwarzenegger |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2012}}</ref> Schwarzenegger believes that quality school opportunities should be made available to children who might not normally be able to access them.<ref name="Board of Directors">{{Cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=http://www.afterschoolallstars.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=enJJKMNpFmG&b=854711&ct=1126543 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315162614/http://www.afterschoolallstars.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=enJJKMNpFmG&b=854711&ct=1126543 |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2012}}</ref> In 1995, he founded the Inner City Games Foundation (ICG) which provides cultural, educational and community enrichment programming to youth. ICG is active in 15 cities around the country and serves over 250,000 children in over 400 schools countrywide.<ref name="Board of Directors" /> He has also been involved with After-School All-Stars and founded the Los Angeles branch in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles |url=http://www.la-allstars.org/index.php/about-joomla |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305070742/http://www.la-allstars.org/index.php/about-joomla |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2012}}</ref> ASAS is an after school program provider, educating youth about health, fitness and nutrition.

On February 12, 2010, Schwarzenegger took part in the [[2010 Winter Olympics torch relay|Vancouver Olympic Torch relay]]. He handed off the flame to the next runner, [[Sebastian Coe]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 12, 2010 |title=How Vancouver almost lost the 2010 Olympics&nbsp; – Vancouver 2010 Olympics |url=http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/764519--how-vancouver-almost-lost-the-2010-olympics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215071318/http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/764519--how-vancouver-almost-lost-the-2010-olympics |archive-date=February 15, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |work=Toronto Star |location=Toronto}}</ref>

Schwarzenegger had a collection of Marxist busts, which he requested from Russian friends during the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], as they were being destroyed. In 2011, he revealed that his wife had requested their removal, but he kept the one of [[Vladimir Lenin]] present, since "he was the first".<ref>[http://www.newshub.co.nz/entertainment/schwarzenegger-gives-up-soviet-statue-collection-2011040412 "Schwarzenegger gives up Soviet statue collection"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211141704/http://www.newshub.co.nz/entertainment/schwarzenegger-gives-up-soviet-statue-collection-2011040412 |date=February 11, 2017 }}, WENN. NewsHub. March 4, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2017</ref> In 2015, he said he kept the Lenin bust to "show losers".<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/the-unkillable-arnold-schwarzenegger-20150507 "The Unkillable Arnold Schwarzenegger"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819103931/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/the-unkillable-arnold-schwarzenegger-20150507 |date=August 19, 2017 }}, Jonah Weiner. Rolling Stone. May 7, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2017</ref>

Schwarzenegger is a supporter of Israel, and has participated in a Los Angeles pro-Israel rally<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2010 |title=Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at L.A.'s Pro-Israel rally |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqjZzgvz1-A |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216184232/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqjZzgvz1-A |archive-date=February 16, 2014 |access-date=December 28, 2013 |via=YouTube}}</ref> among other similar events.<ref name="Benhorin-2011">{{Cite news |last=Benhorin |first=Yitzhak |title=Schwarzenegger: I love Israel |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4067508,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203162324/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4067508,00.html |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=December 28, 2013 |work=[[Ynet]]}}</ref> In 2004, Schwarzenegger visited Israel to break ground on [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]]'s [[Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem]], and to lay a wreath at the [[Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial]], he also met with Prime Minister [[Ariel Sharon]] and President [[Moshe Katsav]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2004 |title=Schwarzenegger, in Israel, Pays Tribute to Holocaust Victims |url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.4828736 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017100237/https://www.haaretz.com/1.4828736 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |access-date=October 17, 2020 |website=Haaretz}}</ref> In 2011, at the [[Independence Day (Israel)|Independence Day]] celebration hosted by the Israeli Consulate General in Los Angeles, Schwarzenegger said: "I love Israel. When I became governor, Israel was the first country that I visited. When I had the chance to sign a bill calling on California pension funds to divest their money from companies that do business with [[Iran]], I immediately signed that bill", then he added, "I knew that we could not send money to these crazy dictators who hate us and threaten Israel any time they have a bad day."<ref name="Benhorin-2011" />

[[File:2017 Wahlkampf-Tour- Oberösterreich (37342740665).jpg|thumb|Schwarzenegger with former Chancellor of Austria [[Christian Kern]] in September 2017]]

Schwarzenegger supported the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 12, 2007 |title=Schwarzenegger rejects California vote on Iraq war |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-usa-california/schwarzenegger-rejects-california-vote-on-iraq-war-idUSN1146037520070912 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717154053/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-usa-california/schwarzenegger-rejects-california-vote-on-iraq-war-idUSN1146037520070912 |archive-date=July 17, 2018 |access-date=July 17, 2018 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Schwarzenegger also expressed support for the [[2011 military intervention in Libya]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 30, 2011 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger rallies to defence of David Cameron on Libya |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/mar/30/davidcameron-arnold-schwarzenegger |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717154111/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/mar/30/davidcameron-arnold-schwarzenegger |archive-date=July 17, 2018 |access-date=July 17, 2018 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In 2014, Schwarzenegger released a video message in support of the [[Euromaidan]] protests against Ukraine's pro-Russian President [[Viktor Yanukovych]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Releases Message Supporting Ukrainian Protestors (VIDEO) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/video-arnold-schwarzenegger-supports-ukrainian-674402 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826112134/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/video-arnold-schwarzenegger-supports-ukrainian-674402 |archive-date=August 26, 2019 |access-date=August 26, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> In 2022, Schwarzenegger released another video message condemning the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. Schwarzenegger's Twitter account is one of the 22 accounts that the [[president of Russia]]'s Twitter account follows.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hubler |first=Shawn |date=March 17, 2022 |title=Why Arnold Schwarzenegger taped an impassioned video to Russia, telling Putin: 'Stop this war.' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/17/world/europe/arnold-schwarzenegger-video-putin.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317192516/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/17/world/europe/arnold-schwarzenegger-video-putin.html |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Schwarzenegger, who played football as a boy, grew up watching [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] and [[SK Sturm Graz|Sturm Graz]].<ref name="BBC Sport-2019" /> He also expressed his admiration of [[Jürgen Klopp]]'s [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in October 2019.<ref name="BBC Sport-2019">{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2019 |title=Premier League predictions: Lawro v 'Terminator: Dark Fate' star Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50160816 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027012627/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50160816 |archive-date=October 27, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2019 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

Schwarzenegger inspired many actors to become [[action hero]]es, including [[Dwayne Johnson]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2018 |title=Let's rock! Why Dwayne Johnson is the new Schwarzenegger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/14/lets-rock-why-dwayne-johnson-is-the-new-schwarzenegger |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714073224/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/14/lets-rock-why-dwayne-johnson-is-the-new-schwarzenegger |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=[[TheGuardian.com|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2017 |title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Is This Generation's Much-Needed Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=https://hypebeast.com/2017/7/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-arnold-schwarzenegger-comparison |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123153315/https://hypebeast.com/2017/7/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-arnold-schwarzenegger-comparison |archive-date=November 23, 2018 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref> [[Matt McColm]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Movie Trends / What's happened to all the shoot-'em-up films? Who's the next Sly or Jean-Claude? |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19961130&id=FWhSAAAAIBAJ&pg=6818,6314399 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012357/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19961130&id=FWhSAAAAIBAJ&pg=6818,6314399 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> [[Christian Boeving]],<ref name="Nowicki-2015">{{Cite web |last=Nowicki |first=Albert |date=December 6, 2015 |title=Ranking. Gwiazdy kina akcji, które zgasły prędzej niż rozbłysły |url=http://moviesroom.pl/ranking-gwiazdy-kina-akcji-ktore-zgasly-predzej-niz-rozblysly/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114231508/http://moviesroom.pl/ranking-gwiazdy-kina-akcji-ktore-zgasly-predzej-niz-rozblysly/ |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Movies Room |language=pl}}</ref> [[Vidyut Jamwal]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2013 |title=Vidyut Jamwal wants to be the Indian Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=https://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/vidyut-jamwal-wants-to-be-the-indian-arnold-schwarzenegger-631217 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913183941/https://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/vidyut-jamwal-wants-to-be-the-indian-arnold-schwarzenegger-631217 |archive-date=September 13, 2015 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=[[NDTV]] Movies}}</ref> and [[Daniel Greene (actor)|Daniel Greene]].<ref name="Nowicki-2015" /> Boeving's character in the 2003 action film ''[[When Eagles Strike]]'' was based on Schwarzenegger's image from the late 1980s: mostly on [[Dutch Schaefer|Major "Dutch" Schaefer]] from ''[[Predator (film)|Predator]]'' (1987) and Colonel John Matrix from ''[[Commando (1985 film)|Commando]]'' (1985).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Balikatan (2003) − Trivia − IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369795/trivia?ref_=tt_ql_2 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200317145122/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369795/trivia?ref_=tt_ql_2 |archive-date=March 17, 2020 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |publisher=[[IMDb]]. [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]}}</ref>

=== Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy ===
In 2012, Schwarzenegger helped to found the Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy, which is a part of the [[USC Price School of Public Policy]] at the [[University of Southern California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy &#124; Politics & Issues – Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=http://www.schwarzenegger.com/issues/post/usc-schwarzenegger-institute-for-state-and-global-policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122051826/http://www.schwarzenegger.com/issues/post/usc-schwarzenegger-institute-for-state-and-global-policy |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |access-date=January 22, 2015 |publisher=Schwarzenegger.com}}</ref> The institute's mission is to "[advance] post-partisanship, where leaders put people over political parties and work together to find the best ideas and solutions to benefit the people they serve" and to "seek to influence public policy and public debate in finding solutions to the serious challenges we face".<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Institute &#124; USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy |url=http://schwarzenegger.usc.edu/about-the-institute/mission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122053351/http://schwarzenegger.usc.edu/about-the-institute/mission |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |access-date=January 22, 2015 |publisher=Schwarzenegger.usc.edu}}</ref> Schwarzenegger serves as chairman of the institute.<ref name="USC-EDU">{{Cite web |title=Leadership &#124; USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy |url=http://schwarzenegger.usc.edu/about-the-institute/about-the-institute-leadership |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122053059/http://schwarzenegger.usc.edu/about-the-institute/about-the-institute-leadership |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |access-date=January 22, 2015 |publisher=Schwarzenegger.usc.edu}}</ref>

=== Statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger ===
{{main|Statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger}}
An {{convert|8|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}}, {{convert|800|lb|kg|abbr=on|0|}} [[bronze sculpture]] of Schwarzenegger performing his signature 'twisted double biceps pose' designed by sculptor Ralph Crawford<ref>{{Cite web |last=FRANCES KILLEA |date=March 5, 2019 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Statue, Columbus - The tribute to the iconic strongman stands outside the Greater Columbus Convention Center |url=https://www.ohiomagazine.com/ohio-life/article/arnold-schwarzenegger-statue-columbus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526112531/https://www.ohiomagazine.com/ohio-life/article/arnold-schwarzenegger-statue-columbus |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |website=Ohiomagazine.com}}</ref> is located outside the [[Greater Columbus Convention Center]] [[Columbus, Ohio]], which is the venue of the annual [[Arnold Sports Festival]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Audi |first=Tamara |date=2012-03-03 |title=Hello, Columbus: Arnold Schwarzenegger Is Back, Bigger Than Ever in Ohio |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203753704577255310284584738 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228130327/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203753704577255310284584738 |archive-date=2019-02-28 |access-date=2019-02-28 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

=== 2016 presidential election ===
For the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries]], Schwarzenegger endorsed fellow Republican [[John Kasich]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schwarzenegger calls Kasich the 'Terminator' |url=http://www.unionleader.com/Arnold_Schwarzenegger_calls_Kasich_The_Terminator |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215071504/http://www.unionleader.com/Arnold_Schwarzenegger_calls_Kasich_The_Terminator%26source%3DRSS |archive-date=February 15, 2016 |website=New Hampshire Union Leader}}</ref> However, he announced in October that he would not vote for the Republican presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]] in [[2016 United States presidential election|that year's United States presidential election]], with this being the first time he did not vote for the Republican candidate since becoming a citizen in 1983.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 2016 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Will Not Be Voting For Donald Trump |url=http://people.com/politics/arnold-schwarzenegger-will-not-be-voting-for-donald-trump-choose-your-country-over-your-party/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009104158/http://people.com/politics/arnold-schwarzenegger-will-not-be-voting-for-donald-trump-choose-your-country-over-your-party/ |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2016 |work=People |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 2016 |title='I want to punch him': De Niro launches scathing attack on Trump |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-09/robert-de-niro-says-he-would-like-to-punch-trump/7916292 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009083618/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-09/robert-de-niro-says-he-would-like-to-punch-trump/7916292 |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2016 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Schwarzenegger, McCain, More Drop Support of Trump |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/arnold-schwarzenegger-john-mccain-wont-vote-for-donald-trump-w444040 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009104008/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/arnold-schwarzenegger-john-mccain-wont-vote-for-donald-trump-w444040 |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2016 |work=Us Weekly}}</ref>

=== Post-2016 activism===
[[File:California Governors - Your Action Saves Lives campaign video.ogg|thumb|Schwarzenegger participating in a video promoting wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video features appearances of all the living governors of California.]]

In 2017, Schwarzenegger condemned [[white supremacists]] who were seen carrying Nazi and Confederate flags by calling their heroes "losers".<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2017 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger to white supremacists: 'Your heroes are losers' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-trump-the-united-states-no-place-for-nazi-flags-2017-8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026142949/https://www.businessinsider.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-trump-the-united-states-no-place-for-nazi-flags-2017-8 |archive-date=October 26, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2019 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>

Following the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]] by supporters of President Donald Trump, Schwarzenegger posted a video address on social media in which he likened the insurrection to [[Nazi Germany]]'s [[Kristallnacht]], which he described as "a night of rampage against the Jews carried out [by] the Nazi equivalent of the [[Proud Boys]]." He spoke of [[Gustav Schwarzenegger|his father]]'s alcoholism, domestic violence, and abuse, and how it was typical of other former Nazis and [[Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy|collaborators]] in the [[post-war]] era; and described Trump as "a failed leader. He will go down in history as the worst president ever."<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1348249481284874240 |user=Schwarzenegger |title=(Video) My message to my fellow Americans and friends around the world following this week's attack on the Capitol |first=Arnold |last=Schwarzenegger |date=January 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=January 10, 2021 |title=Schwarzenegger rebukes Trump and compares Capitol riot to Kristallnacht |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/10/capitol-riot-schwarzenegger-rebukes-trump-kristallnacht |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111174640/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/10/capitol-riot-schwarzenegger-rebukes-trump-kristallnacht |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 10, 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

In late March 2021, Schwarzenegger was interviewed by ''[[Politico]]'' about the upcoming [[2021 California gubernatorial recall election|recall election in California]] in which he said that "it's pretty much the same atmosphere today as it was then,"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marinucci |first=Carla |date=March 31, 2021 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger has a warning for Gavin Newsom |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/31/arnold-schwarzenegger-newsom-california-recall-478575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401163517/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/31/arnold-schwarzenegger-newsom-california-recall-478575 |archive-date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=April 1, 2021 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> and when he was asked about Newsom's claim of this being a "Republican recall" he responded that "this recall effort is sparked by ordinary folks," and that this was not a power grab by Republicans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fordham |first=Evie |date=March 31, 2021 |title=Newsom recall effort is sparked by 'ordinary people,' not Republican 'power grab': Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/arnold-schwarzenegger-newsom-recall-governor-republican |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401055727/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/arnold-schwarzenegger-newsom-recall-governor-republican |archive-date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=April 1, 2021 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Haefeli |first=Laura |date=April 1, 2021 |title=Former California Gov. Schwarzenegger Warns Newsom To Take Looming Recall Election Seriously |url=https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/04/01/former-california-gov-schwarzenegger-warns-newsom-to-take-looming-recall-election-seriously/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401170558/https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/04/01/former-california-gov-schwarzenegger-warns-newsom-to-take-looming-recall-election-seriously/ |archive-date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=April 1, 2021 |website=sacramento.cbslocal.com |publisher=[[CBS Sacramento]]}}</ref>

Schwarzenegger has spoken out about [[COVID-19]], urging Americans to wear masks and practice social distancing. In August 2021, he said: "There is a virus here. It kills people and the only way we prevent it is: get vaccinated, wear masks, do social distancing, washing your hands all the time, and not just to think about, 'Well my freedom is being kind of disturbed here.' No, screw your freedom."<ref>{{Cite web |title='Screw your freedom': Arnold Schwarzenegger calls anti-maskers 'schmucks' in powerful rant |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/08/12/arnold-schwarzenegger-anti-maskers-screw-your-freedom/8106562002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218215937/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/08/12/arnold-schwarzenegger-anti-maskers-screw-your-freedom/8106562002/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>

On January 17, 2024, Schwarzenegger was detained by German authorities after failing to claim an item to customs agents after landing in [[Munich]]. A spokesperson for the customs agency said that Schwarzenegger would face criminal tax proceedings because he failed to declare an item that originated in a country that is not a part of the European Union. The item in question was a watch manufactured by [[Audemars Piguet]], a [[Switzerland|Swiss]] company. A spokesperson for Schwarzenegger said that he was never asked to fill out a declaration form and he was compliant with officials upon his detainment. Schwarzenegger was held for three hours and was released after pre-paying potential taxes. The watch was subsequently auctioned off at a dinner in [[Kitzbühel]] to raise funds for the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative the next day, fetching €270,000.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Elizabeth Wagmeister |last2=Chris Stern |last3=Jorge Engels |date=January 17, 2024 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger held at Munich airport after failing to declare expensive watch |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/17/europe/arnold-schwarzenegger-munich-airport-watch-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120141355/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/17/europe/arnold-schwarzenegger-munich-airport-watch-intl/index.html |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ogunbayo |first=Morayo |date=January 19, 2024 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger's undeclared watch fetches $294K at climate auction |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/19/entertainment/arnold-schwarzeneggers-undeclared-watch-fetches-usd294k-at-climate-auction/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120141355/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/19/entertainment/arnold-schwarzeneggers-undeclared-watch-fetches-usd294k-at-climate-auction/index.html |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

On October 30, 2024, Schwarzenegger endorsed [[Kamala Harris]] for president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tasolides |first=Justin |date=October 30, 2024 |title=Former Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorses Harris |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2024/10/30/arnold-schwarzenegger-endorses-harris-walz-republican-trump |access-date=October 30, 2024 |website=Spectrum News NY1}}</ref>

===Diet, health, and climate change===
[[File:Arnold Schwarzenegger February 2015.jpg|thumb|upright|Schwarzenegger at the 2015 Munich Security Conference]]

At a 2015 security conference, Schwarzenegger called [[climate change]] the issue of our time,<ref>{{Cite web |year=2015 |title=Schwarzenegger: Climate change is 'the issue of our time' |url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/schwarzenegger-climate-change-the-issue-our-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203180454/http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/schwarzenegger-climate-change-the-issue-our-time |archive-date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=February 8, 2016 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> and urged politicians to stop treating it as a political issue.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2015 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger: Republicans need to stop treating climate change like a political issue |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/schwarzenegger-on-climate-change-2015-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026151428/https://www.businessinsider.com/schwarzenegger-on-climate-change-2015-12 |archive-date=October 26, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2019 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> Next, in 2016, he collaborated on a campaign by [[WildAid]], starring in the [[Public service announcement|PSA]], "Less Meat, Less Heat,"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016 |title='Less Meat Less Heat' starring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3q-7ish6vk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126171842/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3q-7ish6vk |archive-date=November 26, 2023 |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=[[WildAid]]}}</ref> that encourages people to eat less meat as a means of combating climate change.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shoard |first=Catherine |date=June 23, 2016 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron urge people to eat less meat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jun/23/arnold-schwarzenegger-james-cameron-eat-less-meat-china |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126174149/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jun/23/arnold-schwarzenegger-james-cameron-eat-less-meat-china |archive-date=November 26, 2023 |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

He appeared in, and was one of 12 executive producers along with, [[James Cameron]], [[Pamela Anderson]], [[Steve Bellamy]], [[Rip Esselstyn]], [[Jackie Chan]], and [[Brendan Brazier]] for the 2018 documentary ''[[The Game Changers]]''. This film explores the rise of [[plant-based diets]] in professional sports.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dundas |first=Chad |date=2020-01-03 |title='TUF' champ James Wilks finds second life — and controversy — as plant-based-diet advocate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1506838/2020/01/03/tuf-champ-james-wilks-finds-second-life-and-controversy-as-plant-based-diet-advocate/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=[[New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lodge |first=Guy |date=March 8, 2018 |title=Film Review: 'The Game Changers' |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/the-game-changers-review-1202721601/ |access-date=September 29, 2019 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

In February 2022, he said that he has "been about 80% plant-based for the past five years of my life".<ref name="Maziotta-2022">{{Cite web |last=Maziotta |first=Julie |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Been 80% Plant-Based for 5 Years, Feels 'Healthier and Younger Overall' |url=https://people.com/health/arnold-schwarzenegger-has-been-80-plant-based-for-5-years-feels-healthier-and-younger-overall/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=People Magazine}}</ref> He also says that while he occasionally still consumes smaller amounts of animal products, following a mostly [[plant-based diet]] is better for his "overall-health," and that [[James Cameron]] helped him to understand that it is better for the environment.<ref name="Maziotta-2022"/>