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Schwarzenegger: ‘If I’d been born in America, I would’ve run’

Arnold Schwarzenegger introduces John Kasich during a rally in Columbus, Ohio, in March. (Photo: Jay LaPrete/AP)
Arnold Schwarzenegger introduces John Kasich during a rally in Columbus, Ohio, in March. (Photo: Jay LaPrete/AP)

Arnold Schwarzenegger says if he were a natural-born citizen, he would’ve made a bid for the Republican nomination this year.

“If I’d been born in America, I would’ve run,” Schwarzenegger told Adweek in an interview published Monday. “Because now? This was a very good time to get in the race.”

The 69-year-old Austrian-born bodybuilder turned actor turned two-term California governor, who endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich during the GOP primary, believes he would’ve made a better nominee than Donald Trump.

Earlier this month, Schwarzenegger announced on Twitter that he will not be voting for Trump in next month’s presidential election, and he urged fellow Republicans to do the same.

“For the first time since I became a citizen in 1983, I will not vote for the Republican candidate for President,” Schwarzenegger wrote. “As proud as I am to label myself a Republican, there is one label that I hold above all else – American. So I want to take a moment today to remind my fellow Republicans that it is not only acceptable to choose your country over your party – it is your duty.”

The Terminator’s #NeverTrump vow came a day after Trump’s lewd comments about women — captured on a hot mic in a leaked “Access Hollywood” tape from 2005 — came to light.

But Schwarzenegger himself was accused of sexual misconduct on the eve of the 2003 gubernatorial election — allegations he admitted were, in part, true, and apologized for. Days later, Schwarzenegger won.

In May, Schwarzenegger, who is taking over for Trump as host on the next season of NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” hinted he might endorse one of this year’s presidential candidates.

“I will make an announcement before the election, you can be sure of that,” Schwarzenegger said on “Meet the Press” that month. “I think it is important that we go and bring both of the parties together,” he said. “The more we go to the left, the more we go to the right, I believe of what President Eisenhower said, ‘Politics is like the road. The left and the right represents the gutter, and the middle is drivable.’”