President Donald Trump took an unusual detour with the midterm elections just weeks away, calling on Congress to take up a new priority: rescuing Hollywood.
“What we watch on the Silver Screen should be made in what was once the Movie and Motion Picture Capital of the World,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Let’s get this done!”
Trump made the demand Monday after meeting with actor Jon Voight, whom the president called his “Hollywood Ambassador.”
“He is a fantastic man who loves our Country, and feels strongly about the Motion Picture and Television Industry,” Trump continued. “He hates what’s happened to it!”
Trump, who famously hosted “The Apprentice” for 14 seasons, went on to paint a bleak picture of the entertainment industry, claiming production has fled the United States for Canada and other countries.
“Hollywood is a Complete and Total Disaster!” Trump insisted. “Despite the name, it is getting very little work. There is no incentive to be there, and it is hurting California very badly.”
Trump said Voight and others in the industry were pushing for federal tax incentives designed to lure movie and television production back to the United States.
“The amount of money spent on Tax Incentives will be made up tenfold by the money pouring into the Treasury’s coffers,” he said in his post, adding that meetings were being arranged with leaders from both parties.
The president then called on Congress to turn its attention to the issue immediately.
“I am going to suggest that Republicans and Democrats get together, and immediately craft Legislation to save the Movie, Television, and Entertainment Business in America," he wrote. Congress should approve, immediately, a Federal Production Incentive to create Entertainment Jobs in America."
"It can be done quickly, accurately, efficiently and, importantly, will benefit ALL of America," he concluded Monday.