A sponsor for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding competition next month in Ohio has pulled out of the event over Schwarzenegger’s rant about anti-maskers, USA Today reports.
In an interview with CNN earlier this month, Schwarzenegger called Americans who are still refusing to wear a mask “schmucks,” adding “screw your freedom.”
“People should know there is a virus here. It kills people and the only way to prevent it is to get vaccinated, wear masks, to do social distancing, washing your hands all the time and not just think about ‘well my freedom is being kind of disturbed here.’ No screw your freedom,” Schwarzenegger said. “Freedom comes with obligations and responsibilities. You cannot just say you have the right to do x,y and z when you affect other people.”
“You have the freedom to wear no mask — but you know something? You’re a schmuck for not wearing a mask. Because you are supposed to protect your fellow Americans around you,” Schwarzenegger added.
REDCON1 a company that has been a sponsor to the Arnold Classic for nearly a decade decided to drop the former California governor after hearing his comments.
“It’s with a heavy heart and some genuine sadness, that REDCON1 has decided to discontinue any and all support for the Arnold Classic and the other Arnold related events around the world,” REDCON1 founder Aaron Singerman wrote on Instagram.
Singerman said his company is a “patriotic pro-freedom brand” that supports “freedom of choice.” And anyone who says ‘screw your freedoms’ is un-American.”
A spokesperson for the company explained in a statement to the Hill that the decision to end their partnership with the ‘Terminator’ actor was not based on his comments about mask wearing.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
