US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind a federal tax incentive for film and television production, saying the measure could help revive an American entertainment industry he described as being in serious decline.
Trump made the call on Monday after meeting with actor Jon Voight, one of several industry figures who have advocated for a nationwide film and television production incentive.
“Hollywood is a Complete and Total Disaster!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“Despite the name, it is getting very little work,” he added, referring to the decline in production activity and the loss of thousands of industry jobs to more lucrative filming destinations, including Canada.
Trump argued that a federal incentive would encourage studios to produce more films and television programmes in the United States while generating additional revenue for the government. “There is no incentive to be there, and it is hurting California very badly.”
“Jon, and many others in the Industry, are suggesting we do Federal Tax Incentives in order to Make our Movie and Television Production Business GREAT AGAIN, perhaps GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
Trump did not specify the proposed value of the federal incentive or outline how it would be administered. Industry advocates have generally supported a tax credit in the region of 25 percent.
The president, said the initiative should receive bipartisan support, particularly because California and other states that have lost production activity are largely Democratic. “Meetings are being set up with the Leaders of both Parties in order to get this done,” Trump said.
He urged Republicans and Democrats in Congress to work together to introduce legislation aimed at restoring entertainment production and jobs in the United States. “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.”
“Congress should approve, immediately, a Federal Production Incentive to create Entertainment Jobs in America.”
The Motion Picture Association welcomed Trump’s proposal, with its Chief Executive Officer, Charles Rivkin, describing a federal incentive as a potentially significant boost to the US entertainment industry. “For over a century, American studios, casts, and crews have produced the films and series that the world wants to see.”
He said a federal incentive could bring more production to communities across all 50 states, strengthen the economy and make the United States more competitive as a filming destination.
Trump’s proposal has also attracted support from figures across the political divide, including Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who said Congress should act to restore film and television jobs lost to other countries. “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,” Schiff said.
Industry organisations including SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America have also backed greater government support for domestic film and television production.
California has separately expanded its own film and television tax incentive programme, while state lawmakers are considering additional measures aimed at keeping productions in the state.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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