Donald Trump and 'fantastic' Jon Voight craft plan to save 'disaster' Hollywood
President Donald Trump praised his special envoy, "fantastic" Jon Voight, as he slammed Hollywood as a "complete and total disaster".
President Donald Trump praised "fantastic" Jon Voight as he slammed Hollywood as a "complete and total disaster".
The US leader enjoyed a "great and very interesting meeting" with the "movie legend", whom he appointed a Hollywood Special Ambassador in 2025, and explained the pair are united in their concerns over the film industry in California.
He wrote on his Truth Social platform: "He is a fantastic man who loves our Country, and feels strongly about the Motion Picture and Television Industry.
"He hates what’s happened to it! It is being dissipated in its entirety. It has moved to Canada, and other Countries, with very little work being done anymore in the United States.
"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.(sic)"
The 80-year-old president explained Jon and industry leaders had suggested a federal tax incentive in order to "Make our Movie and Television Production Business GREAT AGAIN (sic)".
He added: "Perhaps GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!
"The amount of money spent on Tax Incentives will be made up tenfold by the money pouring into the Treasury’s coffers.
"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.
"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."
The president believes the incentive would have benefits across the country.
He concluded: "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!"
Motion Picture Association Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin has welcomed the statement.
He said in a statement: "For over a century, American studios, casts, and crews have produced the films and series that the world wants to see.
"A federal incentive would be a landmark step towards bringing more production to local communities in all 50 states, strengthening our nation’s economy, and making our country a more competitive place to produce, create, and tell great stories.
"We applaud President Trump’s support for this vital action, and we look forward to continuing to work with the White House and bipartisan leaders in Congress to enact a meaningful and effective national incentive into law."
Trump announced the appointment of Jon and fellow screen stars Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson to special ambassador roles shortly before Inauguration Day for his second term in office.
He wrote on Truth Social at the time: "It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone, to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California.
"They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!
"These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!(sic)"
