Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) says President-elect Donald Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE made the wrong call on his Agriculture secretary.

Trump formally picked former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) for the role Thursday, filling his last Cabinet-level appointment with an announcement that predicted Perdue would do "great things" in the position.

But Schwarzenegger, who has feuded with Trump since taking over his role on NBC's "The Apprentice" reality show, wasn't happy with the pick.

Instead, Schwarzenegger wanted Trump to choose former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado (R), who was also in contention.

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“Obviously, the choice wasn’t based on substance,” Schwarzenegger said through a spokesman Thursday, according to Politico.

“Because if it was based on substance, Abel would have gotten the job hands down,” he added.

“[Maldonado] knows agriculture at every level and he’s built an incredible agriculture business from the ground up as well as being a fantastic public servant.”

Schwarzenegger's criticism comes two weeks after Trump slammed the ex-governor for getting "destroyed" in TV ratings compared to Trump's version of the show. The "Terminator" star didn't support Trump during the presidential campaign, first backing Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the Republican presidential primaries and then refusing to endorse in the general election.

Maldonado, who was appointed lieutenant governor by Schwarzenegger, was considered a top contender for Agriculture.

Maldonado actively lobbied for the position and had ties to a member of Trump’s transition team, according to Politico.

Maldonado acknowledged news of Perdue’s selection Wednesday evening, praising Trump’s decision-making process as “honorable, thorough and transparent.”

“America can be rest assured that the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] will be in good hands with Governor Sonny Perdue,” he added in a statement.

Maldonado’s unsuccessful bid for Agriculture secretary follows three other political failures, Politico added.

Maldonado, who currently co-owns Runway Vineyards, lost a 2010 election to hold his lieutenant governor position. He also tasted defeat in a 2012 congressional race and in California’s gubernatorial campaign in 2014.

Perdue’s selection, meanwhile, disappointed Hispanic groups who hoped Trump would name a Hispanic Cabinet member.

Maldonado was one possibility for that honor, as were former Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Texas) and Elsa Murano, a former Agriculture undersecretary for food safety.

Critics have questioned the diversity of Trump’s Cabinet, noting, for example, that it seems poised to become the first since 1988 without a Hispanic official.