Hasta la Vista, Hollywood? Trump Threatens Film Tariffs in Latest Reality Show Twist

I'll Be Back... With a Tariff!

Listen up people. Sarah Connor here. I’ve seen the future and it involves a lot more than just killer robots. Apparently we’re now battling trade wars on the entertainment front. Donald Trump the guy who probably thinks 'Terminator' is a documentary is talking about slapping a 100% tariff on foreign films. A hundred percent! It’s like he wants to turn Hollywood into a post apocalyptic wasteland only instead of terminators we’ll have… accountants?

Are You Not Entertained? (Or Just Over Taxed?)

Trump claims he’s doing this to 'help the industry,' which is like Skynet saying it wants to help humanity. Yeah right. He wants to meet with the industry to make sure they're 'happy.' Happy? We’re talking about Hollywood executives! The only thing that makes them happy is a box office record and maybe a decent organic smoothie. Now they have to worry about Trump shaking them down for more money. If this works I might consider running for President myself to help humanity you know 'I know why you're afraid but I can help'.

Making Hollywood Great Again... By Destroying It?

According to reports Trump thinks Hollywood's been 'decimated' by other countries and 'incompetence.' Incompetence? Has he seen some of the movies Hollywood's been churning out lately? Maybe he’s got a point. But blaming Governor Newsom? Classic Trump. It’s always someone else’s fault especially when things go south. I should run for Governor the only one who knows what to do: 'No fate but what we make for ourselves.'

California Screaming (at Tax Incentives)

Newsom’s spokesperson is trying to spin this talking about tax credits and keeping production 'here at home.' But let’s be real. Money talks and when other countries offer better incentives Hollywood packs its bags faster than you can say 'Where's the catering truck?' ProdPro says tax incentives are the #1 reason studios pick locations. Shocking I know. It’s almost like corporations care more about profit than patriotism. If you're reading this John Connor please remember to ask me about tax credits it's for the future.

No Goods No Glory

Analyst Alicia Reese points out that tariffs usually apply to physical 'goods,' like DVDs. Good luck trying to slap a tariff on intellectual property. It’s like trying to catch smoke with a net. The real issue is that spending on films made in the U.S. is plummeting while other countries are raking in the cash. In 2021 the U.S. saw nearly $26 billion spent on films and TV series but by 2024 that dropped to $19 billion. Meanwhile the rest of the world went from $23 billion to $24.6 billion. Ouch. Trump might as well be trying to stop Skynet with a strongly worded letter.

The Future is Unwritten (and Possibly Tariffs)

So what does this all mean? Nobody knows! Will Trump actually go through with this? Will Hollywood start filming more movies in America? Will I finally get a decent night’s sleep? All I know is the future is uncertain. But one thing’s for sure: If Trump's tariffs go through we might be looking at a whole new kind of Judgment Day for Hollywood. And I for one am stocking up on popcorn and waiting to see how this movie ends. One more thing tell John that I will be back if I ever get past all the tariffs.