Trump Doubles Down on Federal Film Tax Credit — SkimNews
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- Donald Trump doubled down on the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act a day after endorsing the bipartisan push, declaring there has been 'great bipartisan response and support' despite scant details on the incentive's size or structure.
- SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland praised Trump's 'vocal and determined leadership,' crediting both the president and member Jon Voight for advancing the push to revive U.S. production.
- IATSE president Matt Loeb welcomed Trump's endorsement, citing more than 45,000 film and TV jobs lost in Los Angeles over the past five years and the migration of productions to incentive-rich UK, Canada, and Eastern Europe.
- Teamsters president Sean O'Brien thanked Trump for prioritizing the federal credit and pledged the union was 'ready to work with all elected officials' on passage.
- Sen. Adam Schiff has held bipartisan conversations in recent weeks with House members, Senate Republicans, and industry stakeholders, publicly backing a federal incentive in the 15%-20% range to stack on top of California's $750 million annual program.
- Spencer Pratt claimed on August 4 he is 'working with the President on a 25% FEDERAL film tax credit' after meeting Trump at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes — the most specific number publicly attached to Trump's head.
- Despite the 'bipartisan' branding, the legislation is being crafted behind closed GOP doors with an 'imminent' unveiling, and a DC insider told Deadline 'Donald Trump wants this to be the Donald Trump show,' noting little direct outreach to top Democratic Hollywood players.
Why it matters: If enacted, a federal production incentive in the 15%-25% range would redirect film and TV spending currently flowing to the UK, Canada, and Eastern Europe back to U.S. states — with California's $750 million annual program serving as the template for stacking credits. The push matters because the bill is still being drafted entirely within the GOP despite Trump's 'bipartisan' branding, meaning its final shape will reflect White House priorities rather than industry consensus.
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