Arnold Schwarzenegger explains why he refuses to change his political beliefs - Geo News

Arnold Schwarzenegger may have plenty of disagreements with Donald Trump, but he's not ready to give up his Republican identity.

The former California governor has a very specific idea of what the party should stand for — and he isn't shy about saying so.

Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently to promote his new film The Man With the Bag actor, 79, explained why he still considers himself a Republican.

"Traditional Republican is someone that admires the Republican party for having free the slaves," Arnold said, pointing to the party's history. “This is the history,” he added.

“This is what I’m about. Someone that has given those slaves American citizenship and has given them the right to vote is Republican.”

When Kimmel suggested that today's Republican Party appears to represent very different beliefs, Schwarzenegger insisted that his own political philosophy hasn't changed.

“It doesn’t mean I have to change my philosophy,” he said, describing himself as a Republican in the tradition of Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon.

He credited Reagan with creating California's air resources board and Nixon with establishing the EPA, arguing that politicians from both parties once worked together to get things done.

Kimmel joked that Schwarzenegger might be the only Republican who still thinks that way. The actor wasn't convinced.

“No, I don’t think I’m the only one left,” he replied, before turning his attention to what he sees as years of political deadlock.

Schwarzenegger argued that neither party has delivered meaningful immigration reform, reduced national debt or created a health care system that insures everyone.