During his speech at the Grants Banquet, the former Governor of California makes a point on what truly makes America great, adding that he has 'nothing nice to say' about the President.
- Aug 2, 2019
AceShowbiz - Arnold Schwarzenegger savaged U.S. President Donald Trump for his attitude to immigrants during a speech at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's (HFPA) Grants Banquet on Wednesday (July 31).
The "Terminator" star turned Republican politician gave the opening address at the event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
According to ABC News, Schwarzenegger said the HFPA had a special place in his heart as he was "foreign" and drew on his own experience emigrating to America to criticise Trump for remarks suggesting politicians of colour should "go back" to their parents' homeland.
"I have chosen not to 'go back to my country', but stay here, live here and make a difference here," the actor said. "And to me, that is what makes America great."
California's ex-Governor also claimed he had "nothing nice to say" about the President, despite him representing his old party.
Trump sparked outrage last month (July 2019) after tweeting that four Democratic congresswoman should "go back" to the "crime infested places from which they came" despite three being born in the U.S., and one, Ilhan Omar, having arrived in America from Somalia as a child.
Renee Zellweger, Taron Egerton, Kerry Washington, Ali Wong, Eva Longoria, James Corden, and Sacha Baron Cohen all attended the gala to discuss charities that benefit from HFPA grants, raised from profits from their Golden Globe Awards.
"Rocketman" co-stars Egerton and Jamie Bell, presented a gift to several organisations, including The Latin America Cinemateca of Los Angeles and Bell spoke about the HFPA's humanitarian relief efforts.
Director Taika Waititi highlighted the organisation's efforts to help women become directors and cinematographers. Zellweger also announced grants to aid film education at institutions including the University of California, Los Angeles, L.A. City College.
Corden, meanwhile, joked that the poor standard of dessert meant he'd fund diners' puddings next year.
