President Donald Trump has called for federal tax incentives to counteract the decline of the film and television industry in the United States, stating that Hollywood is a "Complete and Total Disaster." Trump shared details of a meeting with Jon Voight, whom he appointed as a special ambassador to Hollywood, on his Truth Social platform.
According to Trump, Voight, along with other industry leaders, proposed a federal tax incentive to "Make our Movie and Television Production Business GREAT AGAIN." Trump asserted that such an incentive would not only revitalize the industry but also generate significant revenue for the U.S. Treasury. He indicated plans to engage leaders from both major political parties to craft bipartisan legislation aimed at supporting the entertainment sector and creating jobs domestically.
"The amount of money spent on Tax Incentives will be made up tenfold by the money pouring into the Treasury’s coffers," Trump wrote. "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."
Trump previously appointed Voight, along with actors Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone, as Special Ambassadors to Hollywood. He stated their role would be to serve as his "eyes and ears" to help bring production back to the U.S. from foreign countries.
In May 2025, Voight and his representative, Steven Paul, reportedly submitted a comprehensive plan to Trump. This plan included proposals for federal tax incentives, changes to tax codes, the establishment of co-production treaties, and subsidies for infrastructure. The proposal also highlighted job training and potential tariffs in specific circumstances.
Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, welcomed the proposal, stating that a federal incentive would be a "landmark step toward 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." He expressed the association's eagerness to collaborate with the White House and congressional leaders on enacting such legislation.