Hollywood Is Now Ready To Work With Trump: “You Didn't Hear Biden Talking About How To Help Us”
Hollywood is slowly moving to the right, enduring a seismic change in the entertainment industry by empowering President Donald Trump. Different factions are rallying around him, perhaps to court President Joe Biden’s base. This marks an extreme departure from Hollywood’s traditionally liberal bent and strains the bizarre relationship between politics and show business.
Hollywood’s Increasing Affinity for Trump
President Trump’s recent designation of actors Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone now as “special ambassadors” to Hollywood reflects this changing relationship. In a post on his Truth Social website, Trump said the staffing moves are intended to turn around a troubled entertainment industry that has faced serious problems in the past few years. The group, who have all expressed vocal support for Trump, have been assigned to report directly to the President on ways to make Hollywood great again.
This decision has received mixed reactions within the industry. The critic Carlos Boyero was even blunter, saying in an email that the choice of Stallone, represents a narrow view of all the greatness of American cinema in its history. Yet Boyero did recognize the talents of the movie's stars, crediting Gibson's ability to direct and Voight's delivery.
Changing Engagement in Celebrity
Something has changed in the entertainment industry’s relationship with President Trump. In contrast to his first inauguration and its lack of celebrity involvement, the latest inauguration showcased performances by mainstream acts like Carrie Underwood, Nelly, The Village People, Kid Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus. This growing engagement also suggests a thaw in relations between Hollywood and the Trump administration.
But this reorientation has not been without controversy. Snoop was compared to a trained seal for performing at the pro-Trump event during a live episode of "The View" by commentator Ana Navarro, who noted the rapper's previous criticisms of the President. The comments by Navarro triggered a backlash and underscored the perils of celebrities inserting themselves into political moments.
Biden's Hollywood Engagement Criticized
The growing enthusiasm for President Trump among Hollywood insiders is said to be partly a response to former President Joe Biden's lack of engagement. High-profile entertainment leaders have also expressed concerns over Biden’s approach to the sector’s challenges. Importantly, George Clooney, a longtime Democratic fund-raiser, wrote an opinion piece calling on Biden to get out of the race, saying there was “no question” about his performance and that the president could no longer be an effective leader.
Other industry leaders express similar sentiments. As Hollywood’s dissatisfaction with Biden’s leadership has grown, Netflix Chairman Reed Hastings and superagent Ari Emanuel have also urged him to pull out of the race. These challenges include lower box office income, the ongoing effects of the pandemic, and the recent effects of wildfires, but the concerns of the industry focus on the need for active policies and support.
Underlying Significance of the Entertainment Industry
Hollywood’s changing relationship with the Trump administration is consequential. Under relaxed regulation, corporate mergers are likely, according to industry insiders. However, some have warned that fear of reprisals from the administration against media personalities and companies critical of President Trump could create a climate of self-censorship and cause less politically critical content.
To sum up, the increasing alignment of Hollywood with President Trump and the criticism of former President Biden's engagement reflects a complex and evolving dynamic. As the entertainment industry is confronted with these transformations, its future course is guided by the intricate relationship between politics and media.
