Well, people, just when you thought the script coming out of Washington D.C. couldn’t get any more intriguing, President Trump has decided to audition for a new role: Hollywood’s most unexpected potential savior. It’s a plot twist worthy of a summer blockbuster, especially considering Tinseltown’s often less-than-flattering portrayals of him. But then again, when has President Trump ever shied away from shaking things up for the good of the country?
Despite the slings and arrows often lobbed his way from the Hollywood Hills, President Trump seems devoted to a singular vision: bringing American industries, including filmmaking, back to American soil. He’s looking to reignite that old Hollywood magic, not in some far-flung foreign location chasing tax breaks, but right here in the U.S.A., creating jobs and boosting our own economy. It’s an “America First” encore, and the stage is being set for a fascinating production.
The opening act of this new drama came with a typically bold Trumpian flourish. As Breitbart News reported, the President didn’t mince words, initially proposing a hefty “100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.” He’s clearly tired of seeing American creative capital and jobs siphoned off by other nations offering sweetheart deals.
From ‘Breitbart News’:
“The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” he wrote on Sunday. “Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
This isn’t just about dollars and cents; Trump rightly identified this outflow as a “National Security threat,” pointing out the “messaging and propaganda” that can come with foreign-produced content. It’s a wake-up call for an industry that seems to have forgotten where its true home is.
So, You’re Saying There’s a Chance… For Hollywood?
Now, before anyone in Beverly Hills chokes on their avocado toast, it’s important to note that President Trump, ever the master negotiator, isn’t just looking to bring down the hammer. “I’m not looking to hurt the industry; I want to help the industry,” he clarified, adding, “We’re going to meet with the industry. I want to make sure they’re happy with it, because we’re all about jobs.” White House spokesman Kush Desai confirmed that “no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made,” indicating that the administration is “exploring all options.”
This is classic Trump: a strong opening position followed by a willingness to sit down and make a deal that benefits America. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to ABC News, noted that formal negotiations hadn’t yet kicked off, but the President has clearly signaled his intent. It’s about bringing Hollywood to the table, making them an offer they perhaps shouldn’t refuse if they care about their own long-term viability on American shores.
If It Works for Steel, Why Not for Celluloid?
Let’s be honest, tariffs have become a signature tool in President Trump’s economic toolkit, and we’ve seen how his strategic use of them can realign global trade dynamics – just ask some of our European friends who suddenly found new reasons to talk turkey. If tariffs can get other countries to reconsider their approaches to everything from agriculture to manufacturing, why couldn’t a similar strategy revitalize an American film industry that, as Trump put it, “has lost its brand”?
Even Democrats in California, like Senator Adam Schiff, while predictably wringing their hands about “blanket tariffs,” admit they “share the administration’s desire to bring movie making back to the United States.” Of course, their solution involves more tax credits, but the acknowledgment of the problem is a start. The truth is, Hollywood has been bleeding productions for years, and it’s high time someone with clout stepped in to reverse the trend, even if the industry has spent years trying to metaphorically (and sometimes literally) stab patriotic Americans in the back with its often woke, out-of-touch messaging.
A New Hollywood Dawn, or Just a Rewrite?
This initiative could be about more than just on-shoring jobs and boosting the economy; it might just spark a much-needed cultural realignment. Imagine a Hollywood where the “messaging and propaganda” Trump warned about is replaced by stories that resonate with a broader swath of Americans, stories that perhaps even reflect traditional values. With more films being made in America, by a more diverse group of American creators, could we see a conservative revival of sorts?
Conservative voices in Hollywood, like Jon Voight, are already engaging. Voight reportedly presented a comprehensive plan to the President, including incentives and, yes, tariffs in “certain limited circumstances.” He stated, “The President loves the entertainment business and this country, and he will help us make Hollywood great again.” This isn’t just about economics; it’s about the soul of American storytelling. It’s a chance to challenge the progressive echo chamber and bring some balance back to the silver screen.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump’s tariffs aim to revive U.S. film jobs, boosting American industry.
- He’s ready to negotiate with Hollywood, prioritizing “America First” results.
- This could spark a cultural shift, allowing traditional American values on screen.
