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Arnold Schwarzenegger slams low turnout at LA National Cemetery for Veterans Day, mocks Trump rally 'patriots'

Arnold said 'People go, 20,000 or so go to a political rally where someone promises them to make America great, but the fact is those veterans are the ones who made America great. No one else'

Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to have a serious talk about patriotism. The former California governor expressed his dismay and disapproval on Wednesday, November 11, at the low turnout in the Los Angeles National Cemetery where veterans and certain eligible family members have been buried. 

Schwarzenegger, 73, took to Twitter to share that he had been 'upset' to see that on Veterans Day that there were "only like 20 people walking around" the graveyard and yet there are people who call themselves 'patriots' as they cram political rallies of people who promise to 'make America great again'. He said, "veterans are the ones that made America great. No one else!"

He had also earlier tweeted a selfie clip at the military graveyard where he shared "Thank you to all those brave men and women at the front who make this the greatest country in the world and the freest country in the world." During the second video, he said, "You know, I just came back from the Los Angeles National Cemetery, and - where I did the first message - and then when I came home I said to myself: 'It doesn't make any sense.'"

He had been "kind of upset" as "in this cemetery where there were almost 100,000 people buried, veterans, there are only like 20 people walking around. Think about that. I mean, 20 people for almost 100,000 veterans that are buried there."

"But then the people go, 20,000 or so go to a political rally where someone promises them to make America great, but the fact of the matter is those veterans are the ones who made America great. No one else!" He concluded, "So I hope that next year when I go back to that cemetery that I will see you 20,000 that are so patriotic. I hope I see you there. I think it's a discussion that we should have, the definition of patriotism. Let's talk about it."

Thousands of people usually go to Los Angeles National Cemetery for the annual event in May which commemorates Memorial Day. However, this year's event the 131st was held virtually as the public barred from attending given the coronavirus pandemic, ABC7 reports. 

The video seems to be a not-so-subtle dig at Trump. Schwarzenegger and Trump have been feuding for years when Schwarzenegger had taken over as the host of Celebrity Apprentice after Trump was elected as POTUS. Schwarzenegger eventually quit the show while Trump had mocked him for low ratings during his season. 

Many social media users praised Schwarzenegger for his tweet in the comments section. One such user shared, "Arnold, you are spot on about this, and this discussion on "patriotism" needs to be addressed, and we need civic classes in our schools again. So, young people understand what loving this country is all about and the sacrifices people made for all of us to be here."

Another added, "Thank you for caring for our fallen vets. I never fail to find this so touching. That you take this responsibility as an honor & so dutifully all these years later, speaks very highly of your nation." Yet another shared, "Thank you sir for bringing this to people’s attention. My grandfather and his 3 sons were all veterans and I never heard anyone ever thank them for their service."