Actor Jon Voight has taken on the role of special ambassador for Hollywood with a mission to rejuvenate the American film industry. Recently, he met with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, just before Trump announced a 100% tariff on overseas film production. Voight, known for his role in "National Treasure," expressed gratitude that Trump is concerned about the state of Hollywood, emphasizing the need for intervention to prevent the industry from declining like Detroit. President Trump appointed Voight alongside actors Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone as Hollywood ambassadors in January, shortly after taking office. Trump described Hollywood as a "great but very troubled place" and tasked these ambassadors with revitalizing the industry. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed confidence in the trio, stating that they would be his "eyes and ears" and that their suggestions would help restore Hollywood to its former glory, akin to the "Golden Age." Voight shared with Variety that the primary goal is to restore dignity and jobs to people in the film industry. Although he refrained from detailing specifics, he acknowledged the urgency of taking action. While some in Hollywood have expressed apprehension about the proposed tariffs, Voight reported receiving positive feedback and noted that there is significant support for their efforts. A long-time supporter of Trump, Voight is optimistic about the plan they are crafting. He mentioned that his team, which includes union members and producers, is diligently working to address the challenges facing the industry. They are leveraging their expertise and listening to various stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy. One key issue Voight highlighted is the tendency of studios to capitalize on financial incentives offered by foreign countries to shoot abroad. He stressed the need for the U.S. to provide competitive incentives to retain film production domestically. Voight argued for a level playing field while also advocating for additional measures to enhance competitiveness. Despite facing criticism from some in the industry who lean politically left, Voight dismissed the significance of political differences. He emphasized that their efforts to tackle runaway production have been apolitical, focusing solely on solutions rather than party affiliations. Voight expressed confidence that if they can devise a workable plan, President Trump will support their initiatives to restore Hollywood's former prestige. Overall, Voight's message is one of unity and optimism. He believes that by setting aside political differences and collaborating, there is a promising future for Hollywood. As part of his role, Voight is committed to working towards a revitalized film industry that can once again thrive domestically.
Trump Hollywood ambassador Jon Voight warns we can't let Hollywood go 'down the drain like Detroit'
bysai
-
0