The Former Disney Star Steering Trump’s ‘Make Hollywood Great Again’ Agenda
In recent years, Hollywood has been the stage for not only film premieres but also political movements. The entertainment industry, once known for its glamour and escapism, has increasingly become a focal point for discussions about politics, globalization, and national pride.
Amidst a global push for a return to domestic production and job creation, the spotlight recently landed on former Disney star Jon Voight as a key figure behind Donald Trump’s “Make Hollywood Great Again” movement.
Related: Will Marvel Be Blocked in the U.S.? Trump’s Tariff Could Delay Big Titles
The announcement took many by surprise and raised more than a few eyebrows across the entertainment world. It was earlier this week that President Donald Trump, in a bold move, stated that his administration had authorized the imposition of a 100% tariff on movies not produced within the United States.
The news rocked Hollywood, sending studio stocks—including Disney, Paramount, and Lionsgate—into a sudden and significant drop. However, as quickly as the announcement was made, the White House walked it back, stating that no final decisions had been made, leaving the film industry in a mix of shock and uncertainty.
A New Era of Hollywood Politics
While this initial tariff caused panic, one of the more curious aspects of this political maneuver was the response from Disney’s leadership. Disney remained mostly silent at first, but when their CFO Hugh Johnston spoke up, it was a surprisingly conciliatory tone. He remarked that Disney would be “happy” to work with Trump on “things that make sense.”
This statement hinted at a willingness to collaborate, but it left many wondering: How does a tariff on an already-struggling industry align with the President’s proclaimed goal of helping Hollywood?
When speaking about Trump’s plan, a White House spokesperson was adamant that the ultimate goal was to “Make Hollywood Great Again.” While many were left wondering exactly how tariffs would help, one thing became clear—there was someone in Hollywood working closely with Trump to make this vision a reality.
Related: Trump Administration Sets Sights on Bob Iger in First Strategic Moves
Enter Jon Voight: The Disney Star Behind the Plan
In January 2025, Trump appointed actors Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as “Special Ambassadors” to Hollywood. Their charge? To bring business back to Hollywood that had been siphoned away by foreign countries.
Jon Voight, whose name might bring back fond memories for Disney fans for his role as Mr. Sir in the 2003 movie Holes, has become a central figure in the push to reshape the industry. As one of the key architects behind Trump’s Hollywood initiative, Voight has been working diligently to find solutions to the challenges facing the American film industry.
According to TheWrap, Voight presented a plan to Trump at a recent meeting in Mar-a-Lago to encourage more productions to return to the United States.
The proposed plan includes federal incentives for production and post-production, the establishment of co-production treaties with foreign countries, as well as infrastructure subsidies for theater owners, job training, and other changes to the tax code. The plan also calls for the use for tariffs in “certain limited circumstances.”
Related: Trump Organization Gears Up to Kill DEI at Disney
Voight’s Vision for Hollywood
Even though the notion of imposing tariffs was met with shock across the industry, Voight has defended the plan, calling on Hollywood to embrace it with “enthusiasm and gratitude.”
“We’ve gotten a lot of good response from people,” he says. “We’re really rolling up our sleeves and working. I think we have a good plan, and we’re just beginning. This little team of mine has worked very hard to try to figure out things. The union people and producers give their expertise and understanding to this problem, and we’re working together. A lot of people had a lot of input and we’re listening to everybody.”
Related: Wall Street Shakes, White House Backpedals on Hollywood Tariffs
In a video posted to his Instagram, Voight expressed his belief in the plan’s potential to revive Hollywood. Voight, a longtime supporter of Trump, praised the President for his leadership, stating that he had long supported Trump’s vision since 2016.
This partnership between the actor and the President has sparked a range of reactions from Hollywood insiders, with some applauding the effort to revitalize the industry and others concerned about the long-term implications.
View this post on Instagram
A New Hollywood Landscape?
The push to bring productions back to Hollywood has been driven by the increasing costs of shooting abroad. Many countries offer incentives and cheaper labor, drawing major productions away from the United States. States like California and Georgia have fought back by offering their own incentives, but there is still a concern that the U.S. could be losing its edge in the global film market.
One of the lingering questions is how this plan will address movies that are set in foreign countries but filmed in the U.S. It’s also unclear whether the proposed tariffs and incentives will apply to streaming films or just theatrical releases. These uncertainties remain at the forefront of the debate, as many wonder whether government intervention is the right solution for an industry that thrives on creativity and freedom.
Do you think Hollywood should be penalized for filming outside of the United States? Should the government have a say in where studios can shoot their films? Or do you believe that states should offer more competitive incentives to keep production in the U.S.? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Jon Voight is not a “former Disney star.” He acted in one Disney film. And “Make Hollywood great again” is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Since all the MAGA twits seem to have a fondness for telling actors (or at least actors they don’t like) to stick to acting and stay out of politics, I’d like to tell the “administration” to stay the heck out of Hollywood. Next thing you know, they’ll be telling studios what kinds of films they can produce.
Jon Voight was once a good actor. He is now an old has-been who has drifted into the right-wing-conspiracy field. He should just stay quiet. After all, that’s what his pals like to say to young actors who dare to express their opinions.