In a rare and refreshing moment on mainstream television, Arnold Schwarzenegger reminded America what real gratitude looks like. During Tuesday’s episode of The View, co-host Joy Behar attempted to lure the former California Governor into bashing ICE and former President Trump. But instead of taking the bait, Schwarzenegger delivered a speech that left the liberal panel silent and viewers stunned.
Behar, known for her partisan jabs, brought up the ongoing ICE riots across California, where agitators have attacked law enforcement and destroyed property. Expecting Schwarzenegger—who has criticized Trump in the past—to follow the script, she asked: “Did you have a visceral reaction to what ICE is doing when you see the videos of it?”
What followed was anything but predictable.
“I am so proud and happy that I was embraced by the American people,” Schwarzenegger began. “I came over here at the age of 21 with absolutely nothing… In no other country in the world could you do that.” He praised the United States as “the greatest country in the world” and emphasized how it gave him everything—from a storied career to a beloved family.
The iconic action star didn’t stop there. He spoke directly to the issue of immigration, stressing the importance of respecting the law and American values.
“When you come to America, you’re a guest, and you have to behave like a guest,” he said. “You don’t trash the place. You contribute. You respect the people who welcomed you.”
He even compared it to visiting someone’s home: “When I’m a guest at someone’s house, I clean up, I make the bed, I show gratitude—not abuse the host.”
Schwarzenegger’s final message was a direct call to responsibility: “If you get something from America, you have to give something back. That’s what being an immigrant is really about—service, contribution, and respect.”
In a time where anti-American sentiment is often amplified on national platforms, Schwarzenegger’s unapologetically patriotic response was not just surprising—it was necessary.