Since the beginning of the pandemic, Terminator actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been vocal about his stance on COVID-19. The 74-year-old has done everything from posting ‘stay at home’ videos during the mandated quarantine from his hot tub to personally donating $1 million, along with fundraising by selling merchandise with his famous catchphrases on it, to benefit pandemic relief. But after one of his recent comments about COVID-19 safety, one of Schwarzenegger’s sponsors believes the actor went too far.
One of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s longtime bodybuilding sponsors, REDCON1, has decided to drop him following an interview he did with CNN earlier this month. While speaking about the spread of COVID-19, Schwarzenegger criticized anti-maskers for their choices to not listen to the safety guidelines outlined by the CDC, saying “Screw your freedoms.” It was comments like these that led REDCON1 to share it would no longer be working with him.
REDCON1’s founder Aaron Singerman cited the company’s reason for dropping the celebrity due to his “anti-America” comments. He further explained the decision to The Hill with these words:
To be clear we did not pull out of the event because of a mask issue. We understand the importance of public safety as well as the responsibilities of all event organizers. These are unprecedented times and we’re aligned with public safety for all. We elected to discontinue support due to Arnold’s comment, ‘Screw Your Freedoms.’ With the global influence Arnold beholds we find that ideology dangerous and anti-America and community.
As Aaron Singerman clarified, the decision was not based on partisan dealignment, but more so a reaction to Arnold Schwarzenegger disregarding an American’s “choices.” The founder took to his Instagram account to share his reasoning:
REDCON1 had been part of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding event, Arnold Classic, which is set to be held in Columbus, Ohio this September 25. The contest involves four Pro League Divisions for bodybuilders and is acknowledged as the most important bodybuilding event in the world aside from Mr. Olympia. Schwarzenegger rose to fame at age 20 when he became Mr. Universe at the worldwide Mr. Olympia competition in 1968.
Arnold Schwarznegger has been one of the most vocal celebrities in terms of speaking out about COVID-19. Due to the actor’s age, he is more susceptible to being hospitalized if he was infected with the virus, and, of course, his bodybuilder competition last year was affected by the pandemic like many other events. Schwarzenegger proudly posted about getting the vaccine back in January, especially following some health issues the year prior leading to a recent heart surgery.
The actor also called out his gym, Gold’s Gym, for how they were enforcing mask-wearing back in summer 2020. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not publicly responded to REDCON1 dropping him ahead of the Arnold Classic.
