Schwarzenegger Highlights 45% Trump Vote with Zero GOP House Seats in New Mexico During Tapper Interview

Arnold Schwarzenegger recently challenged CNN host Jake Tapper during an interview, pushing back against the notion that gerrymandering is solely a Republican issue. The former California Governor highlighted states where significant Republican voter turnout has not translated into congressional representation, specifically citing New Mexico. The discussion centered on the pervasive practice of redrawing electoral districts to gain partisan advantage.

Tapper initiated the conversation by suggesting that recent gerrymandering efforts were primarily driven by Republicans, with former President Donald Trump encouraging states to redraw maps to prevent Democrats from retaking the House. Schwarzenegger firmly disagreed with this framing, stating, "No, Jake. There has been gerrymandering going on for 200 years." He emphasized that the practice is a bipartisan problem.

Schwarzenegger provided concrete examples to support his argument, noting the disparity between voter support and congressional outcomes in certain states. He pointed out, "In New Mexico, 45% of the people voted for Trump and vote Republican, and zero is sent to the House – zero representatives from the Republican Party." He also mentioned Massachusetts, where approximately 40% of voters supported Trump but similarly lack Republican representation in the House.

The veteran actor and former governor criticized both parties for what he described as a "war going on all over the United States of who can out-cheat the other." He stressed that rather than trying to "out-cheat" opponents, parties should focus on outperforming each other through policy and voter engagement. Schwarzenegger has historically advocated for independent redistricting commissions, having played a role in establishing one in California during his governorship.

The discussion underscores the ongoing national debate surrounding electoral fairness and the impact of district mapping on democratic representation. With midterm elections approaching, the issue of gerrymandering remains a critical concern for voters and political observers, as it can significantly influence the balance of power in Congress regardless of overall popular vote.