This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Schwarzenegger And Macron Troll Trump Over Climate Change

Schwarzenegger And Macron Troll Trump Over Climate Change

New best bros Arnold Schwarzenegger and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Paris to talk about the Paris climate agreement and global warming. They also teamed up for a selfie video not-so-surreptitiously aimed at you-know-who: that other president.

The video, posted to Schwarzenegger’s Twitter account on Friday, is labeled: “With President Macron, a great leader.” The former California governor says on it: “I’m here with President Macron. We’re talking about environmental issues and a green future.”

Macron adds: “And now we will deliver together to make the planet great again.”

Macron’s coined his “great planet” line ― a pointed twist on U.S. President Donald Trump’s “make America great again” catchphrase — after Trump announced on June 1 that he was backing the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord on combating climate change. Macron responded with an address in English on French TV criticizing Trump’s decision, and his government issued a “corrected” climate-change video countering one produced by the Trump administration.

Schwarzenegger’s trip to France to meet with Macron is one sign of a growing movement to keep America committed to the Paris Agreement despite Trump’s move. Governors, along with scores of mayors, university presidents and business representatives, are preparing pledges to meet the agreement’s goals. Billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg has pledged up to $15 million to cover America’s initial commitment to the accords.

Schwarzenegger’s trip also continued a battle on one-upmanship between himself and Trump ― two Republicans with very different politics. Schwarzenegger blasted Trump for his decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement.

“One man cannot destroy our progress,” the actor said. “One man can’t stop our clean energy revolution. And one man can’t go back in time.”

“Only I can do that,” he added, a joking reference to his time-travel “Terminator” movies.

Trump had previously scorched Schwarzenegger for poor ratings when he took over “Celebrity Apprentice” from the president (though Trump always exaggerated his own ratings).

Schwarzenegger shot back that maybe Trump should head the reality program again, and let Schwarzenegger move into the White House.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.