Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger slammed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s claim that the state’s new redistricting plan is only a temporary fix. In a lively interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Schwarzenegger said the idea was “a total fantasy.”
“We’re talking about a permanent change,” he told Tapper. “If Congress had a tax program that was temporary, it would still stay in place for years. The same goes for redistricting. Anything labeled temporary by the government ends up lasting.”
Newsom has pushed Proposition 50, which would redraw California’s congressional boundaries and could add up to five Democratic seats. The move is seen as a counter to efforts in Texas and other states that may help Republicans in the 2026 election. President Trump’s campaign has aimed to support GOP gains in those areas, while former President Barack Obama recently endorsed Prop 50.
Schwarzenegger warned that the independent redistricting commission, scheduled to return in 2032, could still use gerrymandering in states like Texas, Ohio, and Florida. “They’ll find excuses to keep drawing unfair maps,” he said. “So it’s not temporary— it’s a strategy to keep cheating voters.”
When Newsom replied to critics with “Spare me the moral high ground,” Schwarzenegger hit back that the redistricting system favors politicians over people. He said Democrats must compete with Trump, not rely on a commission that can shift lines to secure victories. “It’s about competition, performance, and protecting American interests,” he explained.
The former Republican governor echoed a common concern: redistricting feels like a constitutional breach. He called the changes “cheating” and urged voters to push back against unfair lines.
On social media, Schwarzenegger posted a gym selfie with a tee that read “terminate gerrymandering.” The photo underscores his frustration with what he sees as a long‑term manipulation of district maps that ultimately hurts ordinary citizens.
Despite the partisan clash, Schwarzenegger said he and Newsom talk about the issue regularly and avoid personal attacks. Their discussion reveals how redistricting debate has become a battleground for California’s future political landscape.
Source: New York Post
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