From the moment Donald Trump on May 4 proclaimed 100% tariffs on movies produced in “foreign lands,” a throwdown with Gavin Newsom was inevitable.
First Trump slagged the California Democrat as “a grossly incompetent governor” who let Hollywood fall apart and runaway production run amok. Then, Newsom’s office declared that POTUS had “no authority” under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act to hit anyone making films with tariffs. Later today, as the details of the MAGA POTUS’s plan were not forthcoming, it became public that Trump’s Special Ambassador to Hollywood Jon Voight had put forth a Make Hollywood Great Again proposal based on tax incentives and more.
Now, as the Golden State moves to increasing its own film and TV tax credit program to $750 million annually, Gov. Newsom wants the feds to put their money where their MAGA is to the tune of $7.5 billion.
Building on the success of state incentive programs like what New York, Georgia and others, as well as countries like Canada and the UK, have used to lure away production from the high costs of California, the ambitious two-term Democrat wants to take the idea national. Conveniently dovetailing into some of the notions offered this weekend to Trump at Mar-a-Lago by Oscar-winner Voight and his team, Newsom’s pitch of a national tax incentive for big screen and small screen production
“California built the film industry — and we’re ready to bring even more jobs home,” the Governor said tonight on social media. “We’ve proven what strong state incentives can do. Now it’s time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again”
There has been no response to Newsom’s big bucks scheme from the White House, yet. Insisting he had no desire “to hurt the industry,” Trump today stated at a White House photo-op that he was going to meet with Timseltown executives over his tariffs trial balloon. Contacted Monday by Deadline, studios and streamers indicated they had heard nothing from the administration about any sit-down.
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