Arnold Schwarzenegger Criticizes Trump’s Climate Change Denial at UN Assembly

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday sharply commented on remarks by President Donald Trump during the United Nations General Assembly, where he called the scientific consensus on climate change “a hoax” and “the greatest deception ever perpetrated on the world”.

“Well, I’m not surprised that he said that.”

Schwarzenegger said that he had previously supported closer ties with Trump ahead of his 2016 presidential bid. When Trump asked him to back his campaign, he considered it, but ultimately said he could not because of Trump’s views on climate issues.

“The bottom line is that he simply never believed in it.” “And I told myself: ‘Okay, then I can’t be on his team’.”

In an appearance on CNN alongside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Schwarzenegger stressed his commitment to fighting climate change and expressed the view that the United States could lead this initiative even without the president’s support.

“I am convinced that we need to do something about reducing air pollution and about ensuring that people do not die from it.”

According to the World Health Organization, climate change will lead to an additional 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. Schwarzenegger’s climate initiative and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change organized a gathering in New York during Climate Week NYC.

Schwarzenegger also highlighted the importance of changing how these issues are communicated to the public: instead of the phrase “climate change” we should talk about “fighting pollution” and reducing harm to people.

The former Republican governor of California and Trump have not always supported each other in recent years: after Schwarzenegger left “The New Celebrity Apprentice” in 2017, his views on domestic political events sometimes diverged from Trump’s positions. In 2024, Schwarzenegger expressed support for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

In the context of redistricting considerations in various states, Schwarzenegger stressed that an independent district-mapping commission can serve as a tool to reduce political influence and increase transparency, but should not deprive states of regulatory powers. He noted that in California voters had supported the idea of an independent commission in past years to reduce the influence of political lobbying on the redrawing of state and local districts.

Donor billionaire contributions to the redistricting campaign drew attention: among them liberal financier George Soros and Charlie Munger Jr., the son of a well-known investor who opposes him. Schwarzenegger noted that California has many homeless people who need support, not money for politicians.

Schwarzenegger himself does not currently plan to officially run for state office or launch a large-scale national campaign, but he remains an active participant in discussions about climate and policy, urging concrete steps to reduce pollution and to protect public health.

In summary, his stance emphasizes practical solutions and leaders’ responsibility toward the planet’s future, even as there remain significant differences in views on climate policy and the leadership role of the United States between him and Trump.

Conclusion

Climate change remains at the center of political debates, and the involvement of influential figures such as Arnold Schwarzenegger demonstrates a drive to find common formulations for action. Regardless of political leanings, his statements emphasize the need to reduce pollution and protect people from the consequences of climate change, as well as the importance of open, understandable dialogue between government, society, and science.