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Arnold Schwarzenegger Would Have Run for President in 2016 if He Could

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger on the cover of ‘Adweek.’ Robert Ascroft for Adweek

Think of the Saturday Night Live skits! Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed in a new interview that he would have run for president this year if he were allowed to.

The Austrian-born star, 69, made the revelation during a feature with Adweek magazine last month, which published on Monday, October 24.

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“If I’d been born in America, I would’ve run,” he said. “Because now? This was a very good time to get in the race.” According to the Constitution, only a person who is a natural born U.S. citizen is eligible to be president.

The former governor of California would have run on the Republican ticket. Earlier this month, however, he slammed GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump in an Instagram post.

“For the first time since I became a citizen in 1983, I will not vote for the Republican candidate for President,” he wrote on October 8. “I have been a proud Republican since I moved to America in 1968 and I heard Nixon’s words about getting the government off our backs, free trade, and defending our liberty with a strong military.”

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrities' Political Affiliations

“But as proud as I am to label myself a Republican, there is one label that I hold above all else — American,” he added. “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.”

Still, Schwarzenegger shared that he was conflicted by the election and that he didn’t know whether he would be voting for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Schwarzenegger would have been too busy to be commander in chief anyway. As previously reported, the Terminator actor replaced Trump as host of Celebrity Apprentice. The announcement was made in September 2015, and season 15 debuts on January 2, 2017. (The mogul was fired from NBC over his controversial remarks against Mexican immigrants when he announced his candidacy in June 2015.)

Related: PHOTOS: Donald Trump's Most Offensive and Outrageous Quotes Ranked

According to Adweek, Paul Telegdy, president of NBC’s alternative and reality group, jumped at the chance to sign Schwarzenegger. “He is incredibly famous and represents action, adventure, athletics, culture, business, politics and family, as well as struggle and triumph,” Telegdy told the mag. “[He’s] well-rounded and extremely well-known brand with many touch points, which makes him accessible and relatable to the masses.”

Schwarzenegger is adding his own spin to the project. His first change: kicking Trump’s catchphrase “You’re fired!” to the curb. The line could very well be “Hasta la vista, baby,” but viewers will have to stay tuned to find out.

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