President Donald Trump on August 31, 2026, called for bipartisan tax incentives to support the domestic TV and movie industry, which has seen significant business move overseas in recent years. Trump announced on Truth Social that meetings were being organized with leaders from both parties to advance this initiative. He stated, "It should be Bipartisan, especially since so much money is being lost in California, and other largely Blue States." Trump emphasized the need for Republicans and Democrats to collaborate on legislation aimed at revitalizing the movie, television, and entertainment sectors in the United States.
Trump's appeal for support for Hollywood, an industry often criticized by Republicans, was partly influenced by actor Jon Voight, who has been a campaign surrogate for Trump. Voight, referred to by Trump as his "Hollywood ambassador," has played a role in shaping Trump's policies regarding the entertainment industry. In May 2025, Trump met with Voight prior to proposing tariffs on films produced overseas. Voight did not respond to a request for comment following Trump's announcement.
Trump's post garnered support from some Democrats who are typically critical of him. Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., expressed his agreement, stating, "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." Representative Laura Friedman, D-Calif., also endorsed the proposed measure and called for prompt action. She noted her ongoing discussions with Voight, congressional colleagues, unions, studios, and producers to advocate for a national film and television tax credit.
Friedman remarked that there is no reason for countries like Canada, the UK, or Australia to take American jobs, asserting that the U.S. has the best crews in the industry. She previously stated that while Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign films acknowledged the loss of domestic jobs, a tax credit would be a more effective solution.
The Motion Picture Association, representing major U.S. film studios, also supported Trump's call for tax incentives. CEO Charles Rivkin stated that a federal incentive would significantly enhance production in local communities across all 50 states, bolster the economy, and improve the competitiveness of the U.S. film industry. Although Trump did not provide specific financial details, he suggested that the investment in tax incentives would be recouped tenfold through increased revenue for the Treasury.