President Donald Trump on Monday called for tax incentives to jumpstart movie and TV production in the United States, calling it a necessary move to make Hollywood more competitive.
“Congress should approve, immediately, a Federal Production Incentive to create Entertainment Jobs in America,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “It can be done quickly, accurately, efficiently and, importantly, will benefit ALL of America.”
Trump added that actor Jon Voight, a longtime friend and one of his “ambassadors” to Hollywood, had personally championed the tax incentive plan. The president also said bipartisan meetings were being set up with congressional leaders.
Los Angeles, long the world’s entertainment capital, has increasingly seen film and TV production depart for Canada and other countries that offer cheaper labor and better tax incentives. Some states such as Georgia have also siphoned work away from Hollywood.
“There is no incentive to be there, and it is hurting California very badly,” Trump wrote Monday.
It is unclear whether Trump’s plan — announced weeks before the midterm elections with lawmakers already facing a number of other priorities — can move quickly through Congress. But some of his opponents, including in deep-blue California, have heralded the idea. Lawmakers are working to introduce legislation as soon as this month, Politico reported last weekend.
“Let’s work together — Republicans and Democrats — to get this done, and bring the movie magic back to America,” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California), a frequent Trump critic, posted on X.
I am in strong agreement with the President. 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. Let’s work together — Republicans and Democrats — to get this done, and bring the movie… pic.twitter.com/adeBFYtbM3
— Senator Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) August 31, 2026
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