In a significant move for the entertainment industry, former President Donald Trump has expressed his support for a federal tax incentive aimed at revitalizing film and television productions in the United States. This announcement follows a recent meeting with actor Jon Voight, who has been a vocal advocate for policy changes to combat the migration of productions to international hubs like the United Kingdom and Canada.

Trump took to Truth Social to voice his concerns, stating, “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.” His comments reflect a growing sentiment among industry insiders regarding the need for a competitive edge in attracting productions back to the U.S.

As reported by TheWrap, entertainment industry lobbyists, including the Motion Picture Association and the Entertainment Union Coalition, have been actively engaging with lawmakers to garner bipartisan support for a federal tax incentive. This initiative aims to complement existing state-level incentives, making U.S. locations more competitive against international counterparts.

Legislative Momentum and Industry Support

Despite the increasing backing for this initiative, insiders indicate that Congressional Republicans have been awaiting Trump’s involvement before advancing any legislation. This is not the first time Trump has shown interest in supporting the entertainment sector; he previously suggested imposing tariffs on films produced outside the U.S. However, this marks the first occasion he has specifically mentioned tax incentives as a means to bolster the industry.

Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “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 urged Congress to approve a Federal Production Incentive to create jobs in the entertainment sector.

Reactions from Industry Leaders

The response from industry leaders has been largely positive. Charles Rivkin, President of the Motion Picture Association, praised Trump’s support, stating, “A federal incentive would be a landmark step toward bringing more production to local communities in all 50 states, strengthening our nation’s economy.” Similarly, Russell Hollander, National Executive Director of the Directors Guild, highlighted the importance of a stackable federal tax incentive for maintaining a competitive marketplace.

California Congresswoman Laura Friedman, a former film producer, echoed the call for swift legislative action, emphasizing the need for a national film and television tax credit. “There’s no reason Canada, the UK, or Australia should be taking our jobs,” she stated, advocating for the retention of U.S. production talent.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also welcomed Trump’s proposal, describing it as “a positive step forward” that could significantly enhance production in the region.

As discussions continue, the entertainment industry remains hopeful that bipartisan efforts will lead to the enactment of a federal tax incentive, potentially reshaping the landscape of film and television production in America.