Movie star and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has once again compared the Jan. 6 capital breach to Kristallnacht, the attack on the Jewish people that ultimately led to the Holocaust.
“Kristallnacht” or “Night of Broken Glass” took place on Nov. 9-10 in 1938. It’s estimated hundreds of Jews were killed when Nazi activists smashed Jewish-owned storefronts, thus the name “Kristallnacht,” which referred to all the broken glass on the streets. Synagogues were also set on fire while homes, schools, hospitals, and cemeteries were destroyed. While Jews were already being discriminated against in Germany, the incident instigated myriad arrests and deportations and the subjugation of 30,000 Jews to concentration camps. World War II broke out nine months later.
“I mean, I think that it is, of course, a different time and all that. But it is kind of like a threat to democracy and a threat of what happens to people when they’re lied to,” Schwarzenegger told Wallace after the news host queried him about whether or not the two incidents were a fair comparison.
Schwarzenegger, 73, responded, “Yes, absolutely.”
“And this is why I compared it to that. Because in Kristallnacht, I know my father, who was part of the Nazi party, they were lied to. They were misled. And I think a lot of people in America today are being misled,” added Schwarzenegger.
Pointed Differences Exist Between Jan. 6 and Kristallnacht
Despite Schwarzenegger’s view, there are, however, several contrasts between the two events. Prior to the “Night of Broken Glass,” which claimed many lives, Jews were already discriminated against within Germany. The Capitol breach, which was a political incident, saw one person—protestor Ashli Babbitt—fatally shot by police, with four more people dying of other causes either during or following the event. It also occurred alongside a peaceful protest meant to put pressure on Congress to refuse to certify the presidential vote of the Electoral College.Additionally, it didn’t set off violence nationwide, although it did occur after a summer full of anti-police riots in Democrat-backed cities across America.
While Schwarzenegger has previously faced inquiries about his father Gustuv’s Nazi past, he explained in the 2021 video that his dad and other men of his age were broken mentally by guilt of what they witnessed and how they acted.
“They were in physical pain from the shrapnel in their bodies and in emotional pain from what they saw or did,” said Schwarzenegger. “It all started with lies, and lies, and lies, and intolerance. So being from Europe I’ve seen firsthand how things can spin out of control.”
Juxtaposing modern America with 1930s Austria, Schwarzenegger said: “President Trump sought to overturn the results of an election and of a fair election. He sought a coup by misleading people with lies.”
Schwarzenegger: I Would Run and Win Presidential Bid
Schwarzenegger also told Wallace that if he was eligible he would run for president in 2024 and that he would be victorious. The United States Constitution requires all presidential candidates to be natural-born U.S. citizens.“I mean, think about it right now,” said Schwarzenegger. “I mean, who is there that is really a person that can bring everyone together … because it’s now a question about who do you vote against, rather than who do you vote for.”
“Look, it’s a no-brainer. I see so clearly how I could win that election,” he added.
“If the charges are correct, then he is going to be in deep trouble,” he said. “But at the same time, I have to say you now we [are] always innocent until proven guilty so we’ll find out what the courts say in the future.”
