Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor and Hollywood actor, announced Tuesday that he will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Independence Day celebration at Mount Vernon, citing how he is a “proud American and a proud immigrant.”
Schwarzenegger, an Austrian who immigrated to the United States in 1968 and became a U.S. citizen in 1983, made the announcement during his appearance on The View to discuss immigration. He dismissed co-host Joy Behar‘s question about the Los Angeles riots against illegal immigration raids and opted to talk about how he is “so proud and happy” to have been embraced by the U.S. when arriving in the country. He said there is “no other country in the world” that would have allowed him to create the career he has had.
“And so this is why I’m so, so happy to see firsthand that this is the greatest country in the world, and it is the land of opportunity,” Schwarzenegger said, drawing applause from the audience. “And I think because I’m such a proud American and a proud immigrant, I came to America, I was asked to do, on July 4th, a big speech, the keynote speech at Mount Vernon, where George Washington was laid to rest, where he lived and all that, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America. The existence of America, and I will be doing the speech because I am an immigrant, and there will be 7,000-some people there, and there will be people that will be sworn in and will become citizens that day.”
Mount Vernon confirmed to the Washington Examiner that Schwarzenegger will speak at the site’s naturalization ceremony on July 4. Attendees at this year’s Independence Day celebration will get to view immigrants become citizens at the site’s Bowling Green location.
The historical site, belonging to former President George Washington, was first constructed in 1734 by Washington’s father.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SAYS CALIFORNIA WILL REBOUND FROM ANTI-ICE RIOTS
Schwarzenegger said it will be “a great, great celebration,” and he thinks highly of the nation’s “great” history with immigrants. He stressed that immigrants need “to do things legally,” comparing the immigration process to that of him staying as a guest in someone’s home and maintaining order.
The nation’s 250th anniversary will be marked next year. Earlier this year, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed that Mount Rushmore will bring back its fireworks display as part of the site’s celebration of the nation’s landmark birthday in 2026.
