Jon Voight, the Academy award-winning actor known for roles in films such as “Midnight Cowboy” and “Coming Home,” has gone all-in. He backs a far bolder proposal from former President Donald Trump to slap a 100% tariff on all films made overseas. In fact, Voight just recently visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss these and other issues harming the U.S. film industry. Days later, he got a surprise endorsement.
In his first interview regarding the proposed tariff plan, Voight emphasized the need to “give people back their dignity and their jobs.” He warned that foreign countries have learned to take advantage of these incentives and save millions on film budgets, hurting American production efforts. Voight’s not wrong in his passionate concern that runaway production might destroy Hollywood’s very existence. In it, he likens this crisis to the economic collapse that Detroit once faced.
This is a departure from the more expanded and overreaching use of tariffs heretofore. Voight’s formal proposal calls for tariff application only in narrowly defined situations. This remark has caused a huge uproar and disbelief in Hollywood. He indicted that studios are predatory toward talented professionals. At the same time, they continue to abuse international tax incentives to lure productions from the U.S. which hurts American workers in the process.
“Every studio has a lot of smart people, and they have maneuvered the write-offs and the gifts that are being given out throughout the world to lure people to different countries.” – Jon Voight
He noted that making the film industry a more level playing field, enough specifically to the U.S. industry, is essential. Voight remarked, “Now we’re saying: ‘Hey, we have to have that here.’ Let’s have the level playing field. We need more than that. We need to be competitive.”
Voight’s newfound dedication to restoring Tinseltown to its former glory is a curious flip-flop for the longtime Trump backer. The former president has appointed Voight his “ambassador to Hollywood.” He now shares this prestigious title with fellow thespianians Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson. The actor expressed frustration over the treatment Trump has received from the Hollywood elite, asserting that it is time for the industry to unite in support of American filmmaking.
“There’s been a battle, but now it’s time to put that aside.” – Jon Voight
Voight’s proposal is nothing if not audacious. Yet, he has not provided concrete specifics or plausible logistics for rolling out that tariff plan, leaving insiders in the industry dumbfounded. Even so, he’s bullish on where independent filmmaking is headed in America. And perhaps if we all get on board, he concluded, there’s a promise for the industry to be found—if not hope itself.
Voight’s sentiments were just reflected by Trump himself, who claimed that they’ve been getting “wonderful responses” on their programs. The former president stated, “We’ve gotten a lot of good response from people,” and added, “We’re really rolling up our sleeves and working. I think we have a good plan, and we’re just beginning.”
Voight’s enthusiasm for the project stems from his belief that incentivizing a shift back to Hollywood could offer more job opportunities for those in the film business. He remarked on the importance of addressing these issues, stating, “It’s come to a point where we really do need help, and thank God the president cares about Hollywood and movies.”