Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California, sported a provocative shirt to poke fun at current Governor Gavin Newsom over his intentions to change district boundaries in the state.

The actor, 78, shared a picture of himself using a weight machine with the caption: ‘I’m getting ready for the gerrymandering battle’.

The well-known actor and Republican wore a black t-shirt with the message: ‘F*** the politicians. Terminate gerrymandering,’ highlighted by a red and blue fist.

Gerrymandering is the term used to describe the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor a party. 

Governor Newsom intends to hold a special election in California to seek approval for redrawing districts, aiming to secure five additional US House seats for Democrats.

This initiative would replace the existing nonpartisan redistricting commission, a body responsible for defining district borders, which was established with Schwarzenegger’s endorsement back in 2008.

Newsom’s proposal is a counteraction to a Republican-driven effort in Texas, supported by Trump, as Republicans strive to maintain their narrow majority in the House during the forthcoming midterm elections.

In a campaign-like event recently, Newsom, a prominent critic of Donald Trump, presented his ‘Election Rigging Response Act’ to California voters.

The act, which will go before voters in November, would mean California would temporarily adopt new congressional districts through 2030 if other states – such as Texas – did the same. 

‘We’re giving the people of this state the power to save democracy, not just in California, but all across the United States of America,’ Newsom said. 

Democrats only need to flip three House seats to regain control of the chamber for the 2026 election. 

Newsom encouraged Californians and residents of other blue states to ‘stand up’ against the efforts being led by Texas, but are also being considered in other states. 

‘He’s going to lose the midterms, he knows de facto his presidency ends in 17 months,’ Newsom said. ‘Why else would he try to rig the system?’ 

In a letter penned to Trump on Monday, Newsom said: If you will not stand down, I will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states.’

Newsom offered a compromise to Trump by promising to call off redistricting efforts in California if GOP-led states do the same.

‘But if the other states call off their redistricting efforts, we will happily do the same. And American democracy will be better for it.’

If the Trump-backed plot is successful, the GOP is expected to gain at least five additional seats in the House of Representatives. 

‘We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats, Trump told CNBC on Tuesday.  ‘We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas.’

‘I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats.’ 

If approved, a new California map would take effect only if a Republican state does its own redistricting. It would remain through the 2030 elections. 

After that, Democrats say, they would return mapmaking power to the independent commission voters approved in 2008. 

Trump has urged other Republican-run states to redraw maps, even sending Vice President JD Vance to Indiana to pressure officials there. 

In Missouri, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press, the state Senate received a $46,000 invoice to activate six redistricting software licenses and provide training for up to 10 staff members.

Democratic state lawmakers fled from Texas to deny the GOP the quorum necessary to vote on legislation in the state capital.

In response, Abbott last week ordered the arrest of dozens of state Democrats who went to Illinois and New York.

The Texas governor also filed an emergency petition to the Texas Supreme Court, requesting the justices declare Democratic Minority Leader Gene Wu’s seat vacant.