Gavin Newsom and Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulate each other for Californias hated environmental regulations

Former Gov.Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gov.

Gavin Newsom patted themselves on the back Wednesday as they celebrated California’s controversial climate laws at an event in Long Beach.The two politicians shared a chummy “fireside chat” at the 2026 California Economic Summit, held Oct.13-15 at the Long Beach Convention Center, to mark the 20th anniversary of the California Global Warming Solutions Act, which Schwarzenegger signed into law in 2006.The law required California to slash greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 — a 30% reduction that the state says it achieved ahead of schedule through mandatory emissions caps and reporting for major industrial sources, along with a statewide cap-and-trade program.Schwarzenegger said he pushed the legislation through despite objections from the Bush administration, that he said tried to slow the creation of the new rules.“I was going through the struggle,” said Schwarzenegger, a Republican.

“I mean, we knew that they were full of s–t, right?”“The federal government fought us, and every step of the way, and we went to court,” he added.“To me, it doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat.

What is important is that you are representing the people, that you are working for the people and not for the party.”Schwarzenegger rarely endorses candidates, criticizing both sides of the aisle when he does speak out on issues.The former governor broke from that tradition by endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election after refusing to support Donald Trump’s bid for the White House in 2016.He declined to make an endorsement in the 2020 race between Trump and Joe Biden.Schwarzenegger has not made an endorsement in the California governor’s race.

He has not endorsed a candidate in the LA mayoral race, either, but recently hosted a high-powered meet-and-greet for democratic socialist Nithya Raman.Newsom even tipped his hat to Republican President Richard Nixon for his environmental record, cr...