President Donald Trump has voiced strong support for a federal tax incentive program aimed at reviving the American film and television industry. He recently met with actor and longtime industry figure Jon Voight, who has been advocating for policy changes to keep production in the United States. Trump described Hollywood as a complete and total disaster, noting that despite its name, very little work is being done in the United States anymore.
He said the industry is being dissipated and has moved to other countries like Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, according to news.webindia123.com. Trump believes that a federal tax incentive would help bring jobs back to the U.S. and make American production more competitive, according to a report from TheWrap. He said that the plan should be bipartisan, especially because California and other blue states are losing significant production work.
The president suggested that Republicans and Democrats should immediately come together to craft legislation for the entertainment business. He emphasized that such a program could be completed quickly and efficiently, with benefits for all Americans. Trump also said that the United States should produce what it once was known for — movie and television content made in America.
Upcoming meetings with congressional leaders from both parties are expected to focus on how to frame the legislation as a joint effort. The idea of a federal incentive has been gaining support among industry groups and lawmakers for some time. Entertainment lobbyists, including the Motion Picture Association and the Entertainment Union Coalition, have been working to build bipartisan support.
However, some insiders said that Republicans had been waiting for Trump’s involvement before moving forward with actual legislation. This is the first time Trump has specifically mentioned tax incentives as a way to help entertainment workers across the country. The incentive would apply even in states like Michigan that do not currently offer state-level incentives.
Industry leaders have praised Trump’s support for the initiative. MPA President Charles Rivkin said that a federal incentive would be a landmark step toward bringing more production to local communities. He added that it would help strengthen the economy and make the U.S. more competitive in global entertainment markets.
Directors Guild Executive Russell Hollander also supported the idea, calling it a key priority to encourage domestic production. He said that a stackable federal tax incentive would be critical for keeping the U.S. competitive in production. Hollander noted that the guild has been working with Washington leaders to advance this issue through legislation.
He also mentioned securing studio support for a federal incentive in recent negotiations. Congresswoman Laura Friedman, who represents California and has a background in film production, also backed the idea. She said there is no reason for countries like Canada, the UK, or Australia to be taking American jobs.
Friedman emphasized that America still has the best crews on the planet. She has been working with Jon Voight, unions, studios, and producers to build support for a national incentive. The Motion Picture Association and Voight have lobbied for a tax rate of 20% on labor costs.
California Senator Dianne Feinstein also expressed support for the plan, though she did not specify a rate. The proposal would help states that currently lack incentives, such as Michigan, and make the U.S. more competitive globally. Industry leaders believe that a federal incentive could bring back production from countries like Canada and the UK, Politico reported.
The plan is seen as a way to help both Hollywood and other major production hubs across the country. Trump’s comments represent his clearest endorsement yet of a federal production incentive in the entertainment industry. He said that the legislation could be passed quickly and would benefit all Americans.
The move comes after years of production moving overseas due to tax incentives offered by other countries. The incentive would stack on top of existing state-level programs, making the U.S. more competitive in global markets. Lawmakers and industry leaders are now working together to shape a bill that would bring production back to American shores.
The effort is aimed at ensuring that the U.S. remains a top destination for film and television production. Supporters say it will create good jobs, strengthen the economy, and help preserve American storytelling traditions.
IMAGE: Melania Trump at the QVC Red Carpet Style Party, Four Seasons Hotel, Los Angeles, CA on February 25, 2011 – Photo by Glenn Francis of www.PacificProDigital.com. Photo: Toglenn / Wikimedia, taken 2011-02-25, CC BY-SA 3.0