{"id":496515,"date":"2026-10-15T03:10:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T03:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/496515\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T03:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T03:10:09","slug":"behind-arnold-schwarzenegger-and-gavin-newsoms-long-beach-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/496515\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gavin Newsom’s Long Beach meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/a> and Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> patted themselves on the back Wednesday as they celebrated California\u2019s controversial climate laws<\/a> at an event in Long Beach.<\/p>\n

The two politicians shared a chummy \u201cfireside chat\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

The law required California to slash greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gov. Gavin Newsom met up to talk shop Wednesday. David Buchan for Ca Post<\/p>\n

California oil pumps. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was going through the struggle,\u201d said Schwarzenegger, a Republican. \u201cI mean, we knew that they were full of s\u2013t, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe federal government fought us, and every step of the way, and we went to court,\u201d he added. \u201cTo me, it doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schwarzenegger spilled the tea on the Bush White House. David Buchan for Ca Post<\/p>\n

Newsom and Schwarzenegger got chummy. David Buchan for Ca Post<\/p>\n

Schwarzenegger rarely endorses candidates, criticizing both sides of the aisle when he does speak out on issues.<\/p>\n

The former governor broke from that tradition by endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election after refusing to support Donald Trump\u2019s bid for the White House in 2016. He declined to make an endorsement in the 2020 race between Trump and Joe Biden.<\/p>\n

Schwarzenegger has not made an endorsement in the California governor\u2019s race. He has not endorsed a candidate in the LA mayoral race, either, but recently hosted a high-powered meet-and-greet<\/a> for democratic socialist Nithya Raman.<\/p>\n

Newsom praised Schwartzenegger and other Republican politicians. David Buchan for Ca Post<\/p>\n

He said California\u2019s clean-air laws are iconic. REUTERS<\/p>\n

Newsom even tipped his hat to Republican President Richard Nixon for his environmental record, crediting him with creating the Environmental Protection Agency and signing the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act into law.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalifornia recognizes its role and responsibility in the absence of federal responsibility,\u201d said Newsom. \u201cThe headwinds are well established as it relates to the Trump administration and the vandalism in terms of our efforts is second to none.\u201d<\/p>\n

Newsom dissed Trump for trying to quash California\u2019s environmental laws. David Buchan for Ca Post<\/p>\n

Trump has taken aim at rules around electric cars. AP<\/p>\n

Newsom said he\u2019s been working with local governments \u201caround the globe,\u201d and across the US, \u201cto substitute for the lack of federal leadership,\u201d on environmental issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have no peers,\u201d said Newsom of California\u2019s environmental protections. \u201cWe are dramatically changing the way we\u2019re producing and consuming energy, and we\u2019re creating jobs and innovation, and we are dominating in this space.\u201d<\/p>\n

President Trump has taken issue with the state\u2019s rules, repealing the EPA\u2019s 2009 \u201cEndangerment Finding,\u201d which recognized greenhouse gases as a threat to public health and welfare. California and a coalition of states filed multiple lawsuits to block the repeal.<\/p>\n

Schwarzenegger has not made an endorsement in the California governor\u2019s race. David Buchan for Ca Post<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also not made an endorsement for the next mayor of Los Angeles. David Buchan for Ca Post<\/p>\n

Trump and Congress have also tried to block California\u2019s environmental rules by attempting to revoke California\u2019s Clean Air Act preemption waivers, which allow the state to set its own stricter vehicle emission standards rather than follow easier federal rules.<\/p>\n

A federal judge this year stopped Trump\u2019s attempt to squash the rules, but legal and legislative attacks on the regulations continue.<\/p>\n

The Global Warming Solutions Act has faced legal and legislative challenges as well but remains state law. Critics say the Act grants too much power to state regulators and allows rich companies to pollute while harming poor ones, through the cap-and-trade system.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t