In June, the Auschwitz Museum in Poland named Arnold Schwarzenegger a recipient of the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Award for Fighting Hatred.
On September 28, Schwarzenegger visited the museum "to honor all the victims of the camp and deepen his knowledge about history that would help him fight against prejudices nowadays."
Schwarzenegger, who has openly shared his father fought for the Nazis, posted a video of the event with the caption:
"Today I toured the @AushwitzMuseum with @AuschwitzJCF."
"This is a story that has to stay alive, that we have to tell over and over again."
"We can do all our parts to terminate hate if we are willing to do the work and educate ourselves."
"Never again."
\u201cToday I toured @AuschwitzMuseum with @AuschwitzJCF. This is a story that has to stay alive, that we have to tell over and over again. We can all do our part to terminate hate if we are willing do the work and educate ourselves. Never again.\u201d— Arnold (@Arnold) 1664388885
While many commended Schwarzenegger for taking the time to more fully understand the history "in the hopes of preventing future tragedies," one detail of his visit sent social media into a frenzy.
Another tweet by the Auschwitz Museum revealed Schwarzenegger signed the museum's guestbook with his Terminator catchphrase, "I'll be back."
\u201c"I'll be back."\n\nThe inscription of @Schwarzenegger in @AuschwitzMuseum guestbook.\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
Twitter users immediately shared their distaste, claiming the inscription was "not classy" and "tacky."
After receiving such backlash, the museum felt the need to clarify Schwarzenegger's words were meant as a promise to return.
\u201cThis visit was planned to be relatively short. The inscription was meant to be a promise to return for another and more indepth visit.\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
Regardless of the Auschwitz Museum's opinion, some still felt the phrase to be in poor taste.
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger Read. The. Room.\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger Wow\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger Respecting the dead with his catchphrase, classy guy. Did he get around to apologising for his Nazi family?\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger Auschwitz is not a place for quotes from an action film. But nevertheless Arnold is one of the good guys and it was well intentioned\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger Not sure quoting a genocidal robot is appropriate in the circumstances.\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
Many others, however, agreed Schwarzenegger's words were a promise to return as he truly needs more time to fully immerse himself in the history.
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger It's so sad to see so many hate on him for this. He obviously means he will come back to the site in the future. Yikes.\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger We cannot simply forgot Auschwitz, we have to keep coming back\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger I hope to return one day too. There\u2019s not enough time there. Ever. His play on words is not shallow. He meant it. And he\u2019s right to say it.\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger If I were ever lucky enough to get to visit, I'm sure I'd need to come back, too, because I don't believe it's possible to take in and absorb everything in one visit.\n\n#NeverAgain\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger What do you want from him? He just said he will be back. That's clearly what his intention is...\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
\u201c@AuschwitzMuseum @Schwarzenegger I think those are nice words. Besides, it's a reference to famous words from Terminator. It is important that he was and is going to come back.\u201d— Auschwitz Memorial (@Auschwitz Memorial) 1664362931
We hope Schwarzenegger continues to pursue his efforts combatting hate.
