President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of three Hollywood veterans—Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight—as special ambassadors tasked with revitalizing the American film industry. The announcement, made via Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform, signals his administration’s commitment to reversing Hollywood’s economic downturn.
“It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California,” Trump stated. He emphasized that the trio would work to reclaim Hollywood’s lost business, which, according to him, has increasingly shifted to foreign countries in recent years. “They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!” he added.
Hollywood Stars React to Their Unexpected Appointment
The announcement caught many by surprise, including the appointees themselves. Gibson, 69, expressed his astonishment, stating that he learned about the appointment at the same time as the public. Despite the unexpected nature of the role, he acknowledged his duty as a citizen, saying, “I heed the call. My duty as a citizen is to give and help in any way I can.”
Gibson, who recently lost his Los Angeles home to wildfires, humorously inquired if the position came with an ambassador’s residence. The actor, known for his roles in Braveheart and Mad Max, has been a vocal supporter of Trump, having endorsed him in a video before the election. He also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, who was Donald Trump’s Democratic rival. Meanwhile, Stallone, 78, took the stage at Trump’s post-election victory speech at Mar-a-Lago, drawing historical parallels by likening Trump to America’s first president, George Washington.
Challenges Facing Hollywood and the Road Ahead
Hollywood has faced significant challenges in recent years, from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic to widespread labor strikes and fierce competition from streaming services. Many industry experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of Donald Trump’s Hollywood ambassadors in reversing these struggles. Lucas Shaw, a prominent Hollywood analyst, dismissed the appointments, suggesting that such envoys are unlikely to make a meaningful impact on the industry’s recovery.
Nevertheless, Voight, 86, a longtime Donald Trump supporter, remains optimistic. The Midnight Cowboy and Pearl Harbor star has consistently hailed Trump as the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln. Whether these Hollywood icons can help drive Donald Trump’s vision for the entertainment industry remains to be seen, but their appointment underscores the former president’s ongoing effort to reshape America’s cultural landscape.
Donald Trump’s Hollywood Allies and Their Limited Influence
Former President Donald Trump has maintained a complicated relationship with Hollywood, balancing support from a few notable actors while clashing with the broader entertainment industry. Donald Trump has leaned on allies such as Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson to bolster his public image and critique what he sees as a liberal-dominated industry. However, their influence on major Hollywood business decisions remains limited.
Despite their vocal support, these stars are unlikely to shape key industry issues such as restoring the traditional cable bundle, improving streaming profitability, or increasing China’s importation of Hollywood films. Industry experts suggest that Trump views these celebrity endorsements primarily as a tool to advance his broader political messaging rather than as a means to drive substantive change within the entertainment sector.
Hollywood’s Longstanding Feud with Trump
Trump’s relationship with Hollywood has been fraught with tension, even though the entertainment industry played a significant role in revitalizing his public persona through his reality show, The Apprentice. The show, which showcased him as a successful businessman, helped pave the way for his eventual political rise. However, once he ascended to the presidency, his ideological divide with much of the industry became apparent.
Hollywood has historically been a stronghold for Democratic support, with major studios, actors, and producers aligning themselves against Trump’s policies. His criticism of Hollywood intensified over time, often portraying the industry as an elitist, out-of-touch establishment working against the interests of everyday Americans. This adversarial stance made him a polarizing figure in entertainment circles, with celebrities such as Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro openly condemning him.
Trump’s Direct Attacks on Hollywood and Policy Clashes
Throughout his presidency, Trump directly attacked Hollywood, accusing it of producing divisive and violent content. In August 2019, he labeled the film industry “racist” and accused it of creating “very dangerous” movies, citing the controversy surrounding The Hunt, a satirical horror film about elites hunting ordinary people for sport. He further escalated his criticism by condemning the Academy Awards in 2020 for awarding Best Picture to Parasite, a South Korean film, questioning why a foreign film was given such a prestigious honor.
His policy decisions also reflected his animosity toward the industry. Trump sought to eliminate tax incentives for film production in states that opposed his administration’s policies. The announcement of his special Hollywood ambassadors, just days before his second inauguration, suggests a renewed effort to reshape the industry’s narrative. However, this move comes at a time when Los Angeles, the heart of the entertainment world, is grappling with devastating wildfires that have caused an estimated $250 billion in damages, highlighting challenges beyond political divides.
