Aug 31 - President Donald Trump on Monday called on Congress to enact federal tax incentives to retain film, television and wider entertainment production within the United States, saying lawmakers from both parties should come together to craft legislation aimed at saving the sector.
In a post on Truth Social, the president urged bipartisan cooperation, writing that Congress should quickly approve a federal production incentive to "create Entertainment Jobs in America." He framed the measure as a step to keep production in the country and to bolster employment tied to the entertainment business.
"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," the post said. "Congress should approve, immediately, a Federal Production Incentive to create Entertainment Jobs in America."
Trump said his suggestion followed a meeting with actor Jon Voight, who recommended federal tax incentives "to Make our Movie and Television Production Business GREAT AGAIN, perhaps GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!" The president also noted that Voight had previously advocated for a federal tax credit during an earlier meeting in February.
In January 2025, the president named Voight as one of three special ambassadors to Hollywood, alongside Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson, a designation Trump referenced while backing the push for incentives.
Industry figures and representative groups are actively working on plans intended to curb an exodus of production to foreign locations. The coalition engaged in those efforts includes the Motion Picture Association, the Directors Guild of America and unions that represent actors, writers and other production talent.
Executives from SP Media Group have advanced a concrete proposal: SP Media CEO Steven Paul and SP Media President Scott Karol have proposed a 20% federal tax credit targeted at labor costs incurred on film or television productions shot in the United States.
Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, welcomed the president's endorsement. In a statement to Reuters, Rivkin said, "We applaud President Trump’s support for this vital action, and we look forward to continuing to work with the White House and bipartisan leaders in Congress to enact a meaningful and effective national incentive into law."
The president's public appeal and the proposal from SP Media represent parallel efforts from political and industry stakeholders to create a federal incentive aimed at protecting domestic production jobs and encouraging projects to remain on U.S. soil.