In a response to a Twitter put up from Mr. Ketchell sharing Mr. Schwarzenegger’s video, Rob Flaherty, the White Home director of digital technique, referred to as the assertion “actually, actually exceptional.”
Mr. Ketchell mentioned, nevertheless, that the video was made with out the information or involvement of President Biden’s administration, which has approached different social media influencers with requests to assist fight disinformation.
“This got here from Arnold’s coronary heart, not the federal government,” Mr. Ketchell mentioned.
Like many high-profile figures, Mr. Schwarzenegger initially expressed sympathy and solidarity with the Ukrainian individuals within the speedy aftermath of the Russian assault, however had in any other case avoided commenting extensively on the state of affairs. Because the state of affairs has worsened, Mr. Ketchell mentioned, the superstar has been inundated on social media with pleas, notably from Europe, to leverage his platform.
He mentioned the battle additionally was weighing on Mr. Schwarzenegger personally. The previous governor, born in Austria, refers within the video to the traumatic battle expertise of his father, who fought with the Nazi military when it attacked Leningrad throughout World Warfare II.
Late final week after conversations with various associates and advisers, Mr. Ketchell mentioned, Mr. Schwarzenegger determined to ship an handle just like the one he had posted final yr, condemning efforts by the American proper wing to overturn the 2020 presidential election. These remarks garnered greater than 70 million web page views.
In his remarks about Ukraine, which had been additionally posted on Telegram, the place many Russians can nonetheless entry info blocked by the federal government, Mr. Schwarzenegger referred to as the invasion an “unlawful battle” and a “human disaster,” and instructed Russian troopers that “your lives, your limbs, your futures are being sacrificed for a mindless battle being condemned by your entire world.”