Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 16, 2025 · Entertainment

Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. Gavin Newsom: The Battle Over California's Redistricting

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger donned an expletive-laden shirt to troll incumbent Gavin Newsom over his plans to redraw districts in the state

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM AND THE REPUBLICAN POWER PLAY: A BATTLE FOR DEMOCRACY

The drama unfolding in California's politics is a juicy one, folks! Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, now 78 and still packing a punch, has taken on his successor, Gavin Newsom, in a heated battle over gerrymandering. The Terminator star isn't afraid to speak his mind, donning an expletive-laden shirt that's left tongues wagging and eyebrows raised.

The controversy began when Governor Newsom announced plans to hold a special election in California to seek approval for redrawing congressional districts. This move is a direct response to a similar Republican-led motion in Texas, backed by none other than Donald Trump himself. The goal? To give Democrats five more US House seats, solidifying their grip on the chamber.

Newsom - a vocal adversary of Donald Trump - introduced his 'Election Rigging Response Act' to Golden State voters at a campaign style event earlier this week

But Newsom isn't just stopping at California; he's calling out all blue states to stand up against this perceived Republican power play. In a fiery speech earlier this week, Newsom declared, "We're giving the people of this state the power to save democracy, not just in California, but all across the United States of America." His words were laced with a hint of defiance, aimed directly at Trump and his supporters.

The stakes are high, folks. Democrats only need to flip three House seats to regain control for the 2026 election. But if they succeed, it'll be thanks in part to Newsom's bold move. He's offering a compromise to Trump: call off redistricting efforts in California if GOP-led states do the same.

But will it be enough? Trump is banking on success in Texas and other Republican-run states, where he's urging officials to redraw maps to his advantage. The plot thickens as we learn that Missouri's state Senate received a $46,000 invoice for redistricting software licenses – and that Democratic lawmakers fled Texas to deny the GOP the quorum needed to vote.

Newsom offered a compromise to Trump by promising to call off redistricting efforts in California if GOP-led states do the same

The gloves are off in this battle for democracy, folks! Newsom isn't afraid to speak his mind, telling Trump, "He's going to lose the midterms, he knows de facto his presidency ends in 17 months. Why else would he try to rig the system?" The question on everyone's lips is: will it be enough to sway voters and secure Democratic control?

In a shocking twist, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the arrest of dozens of state Democrats who fled to Illinois and New York. He's also filed an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court, requesting they declare Democratic Minority Leader Gene Wu's seat vacant. The drama continues to unfold in the Lone Star State.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger is flexing his muscles, sharing a photo of himself on social media using a weight machine with a cheeky caption: "I'm getting ready for the gerrymandering battle." His choice of attire? A black t-shirt emblazoned with a bold message: "F* the politicians. Terminate gerrymandering."

The war of words between Newsom and Trump is heating up, folks! Who will come out on top in this battle for democracy? Only time will tell, but one thing's certain – California Governor Gavin Newsom isn't backing down.

Sources: TheScholarlyNote.com

Additional Reading:

  • "Newsom Takes Aim at Trump in Redistricting Battle" (TheScholarlyNote.com)
  • "California Democrats Flee Texas to Deny GOP Quorum" (TheScholarlyNote.com)
  • "Trump Urges Republican Governors to Redraw Maps" (TheScholarlyNote.com)