‘The Man with the Bag’ Star Arnold Schwarzenegger Explains to Jimmy Kimmel Why He’s Still a Republican

Arnold Schwarzenegger rarely shies away from politics on late-night TV, and his latest visit to ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ was no different. The actor and former California governor went on the show to talk about his new Christmas movie. As has become a running theme of their chats, the conversation soon turned to his place in the Republican Party.

He had plenty to promote. The 79-year-old ‘Terminator’ star appeared on the November 11 episode to promote his new movie, ‘The Man With the Bag’. The holiday heist film, in which he plays Santa alongside Alan Ritchson, premieres globally on Prime Video on December 2.

The bigger headline came when Kimmel asked whether he still considers himself a Republican. Schwarzenegger told the host he absolutely does, describing a traditional Republican as someone who admires the party for having freed the slaves. The question has become something of a yearly tradition between Kimmel and Schwarzenegger.

The late-night host didn’t let the answer slide. Kimmel interjected that the party doesn’t get credit for that anymore. Schwarzenegger kept going, pointing to the party’s history of granting formerly enslaved people citizenship and the right to vote.

Jimmy Kimmel: With that said, are you still a republican? Arnold Schwarzenegger: Yeah, I’m a republican. Absolutely. Jimmy Kimmel: What does that even mean? Arnold Schwarzenegger: A traditional republican is someone that admires the republican for having freeing the slaves. Jimmy Kimmel: We don’t take credit for that anymore, come on. Arnold Schwarzenegger: This is what I’m about. Giving those slaves citizenship, giving them a right to vote. Jimmy Kimmel: This sounds like all the opposite things the republican party stands for. Arnold Schwarzenegger: This doesn’t mean I have to change my philosophy, I have my philosophy. The Reagan philosophy who created the resources for California to regulate our own air and reduce the greenhouse gases and pollution in California. Nickson created the EPA, the environmental protection agency to protect our water. Those are the kinds of republicans that used to work together with the democrats to get things done.

— Jfash!🕷️ (@jfash_fi) November 12, 2026

Kimmel then questioned whether those values still define the modern party, suggesting that what Schwarzenegger described sounded like the opposite of what Republicans stand for today. Schwarzenegger replied that a changing party doesn’t mean he has to change his philosophy, and Kimmel conceded that the answer made sense.

Schwarzenegger described his politics through the lens of past Republican leaders. He said he operates by the “Ronald Reagan philosophy,” crediting Reagan with creating California’s air resources board, which regulates greenhouse gases and pollution in the state. He also cited former President Richard Nixon for establishing the Environmental Protection Agency.

For Schwarzenegger, those examples show that Republicans have historically championed causes now often linked with the other side. He described Reagan and Nixon as the kind of Republicans who worked with Democrats and got things done, and said that’s the kind of Republican he is.

The conversation also turned to bipartisanship. Schwarzenegger argued that when one party tries to do something alone, it doesn’t work, and said Democrats and Republicans need to work together like they did when he was governor of California. He added that officials should aim to be public servants rather than party servants.

Kimmel suggested Schwarzenegger might be the last of his kind, but the actor disagreed. Schwarzenegger said he didn’t think he was the only one left. The host found some common ground too, joking that they probably agree on 85% of things and pointing to their shared love of fitness.

Kimmel also asked about President Donald Trump. Schwarzenegger said the 2 had spoken several times because they had a good relationship and were friends, and that Trump had asked him to endorse and campaign with him. Schwarzenegger said that when he declined, Trump understood.

Prime Video’s The Man With The Bag is arriving on December 2, and the new trailer has officially debuted! 🎄 https://t.co/w5wmLMVsD6

— ScreenRant (@screenrant) November 2, 2026

It’s a familiar position for Schwarzenegger. He has spoken openly over the years about not aligning with Donald Trump’s politics, while still considering himself a member of the Republican Party. He served as California’s last Republican governor from 2003 to 2011.

Coverage of the interview has reflected the country’s divides. Some outlets focused on Kimmel’s pushback, while others framed Schwarzenegger as standing firm on his principles. Conservative media watchdog NewsBusters, for its part, criticized Kimmel’s suggestion that the values Schwarzenegger described are the opposite of what the GOP stands for. Either way, the exchange shows that Schwarzenegger can still generate headlines well beyond Hollywood, even while promoting a family Christmas comedy.

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