Trump demands federal tax incentives to fix Hollywood ‘disaster’
President Donald Trump has urged Congress to pass federal tax incentives aimed at revitalizing the U.S. film industry, which he believes is struggling due to competition from other countries like Canada. After meeting with actor Jon Voight, whom he praised as a “special ambassador” for Hollywood, Trump emphasized that these incentives could bring entertainment jobs back to California and generate significant revenue for the Treasury. He called for bipartisan cooperation to swiftly enact legislation that would include a 20% labor credit and prioritize U.S. personnel. Trump, who has a background in entertainment and has previously warned about Hollywood’s decline, also mentioned plans for meetings with congressional leaders and potential legislation as early as September. He highlighted that Hollywood is experiencing a “disaster” despite its historical significance and stressed that federal support could restore and enhance America’s film and TV production industry.
President Donald Trump on Monday pressed Congress to pass federal tax breaks to revive the U.S.’s film industry, after speaking with his “special ambassador” to Hollywood, actor Jon Voight.
Trump revealed he had a “great” meeting with the “fantastic” Voight in a post to Truth Social. The president expressed concern that Hollywood is losing ground to Canada and other countries, and argued new federal tax incentives could bring the industry back to California. The amount of funds spent on tax breaks for the film industry to bring back “entertainment jobs” will be made up “tenfold by the money pouring into” the Treasury Department’s coffers, Trump claimed.
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“I am going to suggest that Republicans and Democrats get together, and immediately craft Legislation to save the Movie, Television, and Entertainment Business in America. Congress should approve, immediately, a Federal Production Incentive to create Entertainment Jobs in America,” Trump said.
“Meetings are being set up with the Leaders of both Parties in order to get this done. It should be Bipartisan, especially since so much money is being lost in California, and other largely Blue States,” he added. “It can be done quickly, accurately, efficiently and, importantly, will benefit ALL of America. What we watch on the Silver Screen should be made in what was once the Movie and Motion Picture Capital of the World. Let’s get this done!”
Members of Congress are working on legislation that could be introduced as soon as September, Politico reported over the weekend. The federal production incentive being discussed would be stackable atop states’ incentives, and include a 20% credit for labor both in front of and behind the camera, with a mechanism requiring that the vast majority of the work would go to U.S. personnel, according to the outlet.
Before becoming president, Trump had a long background in the entertainment industry, starring in his hit reality TV show The Apprentice and making cameo appearances in several popular films.
Since assuming office, the president has often warned about Hollywood’s struggles, appointing Voight and others to examine what can be done to revitalize Hollywood, and last year threatened to slap a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films.
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Voight has met with Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) over the matter, with a federal tax credit to incentivize production companies emerging as a topic of discussion last June.
“Hollywood is a Complete and Total Disaster! Despite the name, it is getting very little work. There is no incentive to be there, and it is hurting California very badly,” Trump reiterated Monday. “Jon, and many others in the Industry, are suggesting we do Federal Tax Incentives in order to Make our Movie and Television Production Business GREAT AGAIN, perhaps GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
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