President Donald Trump and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., have found an unlikely point of agreement in a push to support the American film and television industry. Both figures are advocating for federal tax incentives aimed at bringing entertainment jobs back to the United States.
Schiff, a vocal critic of Trump's presidency, publicly stated his support for the initiative on social media. "I am in strong agreement with the President," Schiff said on X. "Congress should immediately take up and pass a federal film tax incentive to bring back these good-paying jobs that we've lost to other countries." He added, "Let’s work together — Republicans and Democrats — to get this done, and bring the movie magic back to America."
Trump has also been vocal about the issue, expressing a desire to counter the decline in Hollywood's stature. He noted that the industry has experienced significant job losses in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent changes in the streaming landscape. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry has lost 49,000 jobs since 2022. Trump has urged Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress to act swiftly to "craft Legislation to save the Movie, Television, and Entertainment Business in America."
Trump has advocated for a "Federal Production Incentive to create Entertainment Jobs in America," suggesting it could be implemented quickly and efficiently to benefit the nation. He has pointed to other states and countries as having lured productions away from traditional Hollywood hubs due to more favorable tax structures.
California has been working to retain and attract productions, with its state Legislature increasing the Film & Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million. However, the state's efforts have been impacted by measures such as a $5 million state corporate tax credit cap implemented over three years. Even with these adjustments, California is reportedly lagging behind states like Georgia and New York, which offer substantially larger tax incentives, as well as international locations like Canada and the United Kingdom.
"There is no incentive to be there, and it is hurting California very badly," Trump stated, referencing suggestions from industry figures like actor Jon Voight, who serves as a U.S. special ambassador to Hollywood. Trump indicated that federal tax incentives could help restore and enhance the country's film and television production business.
The push for federal incentives comes as Congress faces a compressed schedule, with a focus on campaigning for midterm elections and the lame-duck session in the fall.