Donald Trump appears to be tempering his tone, saying he “is not trying to hurt the industry” in a widespread disappointment in Hollywood and 100% tariff bombing announcement in a film “produced on foreign lands.”
In a statement reported by CNBC, Trump said he plans to discuss plans with film industry leaders. “I’m not trying to hurt the industry. I want to help the industry.”
He added:
Trump also set his sights on California Governor Gavin Newsom once again, saying the film industry “is that by the fact that other countries were taken away and like Los Angeles, the Governor (Gavin Newsom) is a terrible incompetent man and he was allowed to take it away.”
Trump added: “Hollywood doesn’t have that business very much. They have nice indications, everything is good, but not much.”
“Governor Newsom continues to defend California’s iconic film and television industry, acknowledging it as the foundation of the state’s economy,” says Newsom.
“His plan to more than double the state’s film and television tax credits reflects his commitment to maintaining production here, supporting workers and maintaining global leadership in California entertainment.
Newsom previously said in Trump’s announcement that “we are eager to partner with the Trump administration to further strengthen domestic production based on successful state programs.” Currently, the US tax system is run by state, with Newsom announced in April its plans to increase California’s $750 million.
California Sen. Adam Schiff also denounced Trump’s tariff proposals while supporting the federal tax credit scheme, saying in a statement:
Late-night TV hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon also joined in a chorus of disappointment and confusion in Trump’s plans. Commenting that Trump is “now aiming for his ball of destruction in Hollywood,” Kimmel questioned whether foreign-made films are “a national security threat,” as Trump claimed. “I don’t care where they are made. I really don’t. I think that’s what the great Hannibal Lecter, who has died, wanted. Sonic, the illegal immigrant hedgehog is a national security threat and he has to stop it!”
Kimmel also laughs at the role of actor John Voight in Trump’s thinking, saying, “I’m not a fan of it.”
Fallon also aims to see Trump’s meaning that foreign places are somehow taboo, saying, “It’ll be fun to watch the next Lord of the Rings filmed in Bayonne, New Jersey,” and “If you don’t like it, you can see Emily in Des Moines (instead of Emily in Paris), which is fascinating.”
