President Donald Trump on Monday pressed Congress to pass federal tax breaks to revive the U.S.’s film industry, after speaking with his “special ambassador” to Hollywood, actor Jon Voight. Trump revealed he had a “great” meeting with the…
Page A11From§Eachthe wee small hours edition — 1 September 2026
Trump proposes Hollywood tax breaks to fix 'disaster,' meets Jon Voight, vows to make movies great again
The official position is that Hollywood, once the shining beacon of American culture, has become a disaster, and the only way to revive it is with a federal tax incentive. After a meeting with Jon Voight, no less, President Trump is pushing Congress to pass tax breaks for the film industry, promising to make movies great again. The press releases practically write themselves: tax incentives will bring jobs, restore creative glory, and surely, solve the 'disaster' that is Hollywood. Except, if you look closer, the disaster might not be the studios — it could be the plan. Tax breaks for Hollywood, the same Hollywood that gets called out in stump speeches, now become the patriotic project. Did the president say Jon Voight, or did I? Either way, the official story is tax incentives for an industry that, according to the right, doesn't deserve them. The press conference ends with a promise: movies will be great again, just as soon as Congress passes the check. And if anyone asks about the cost, well, it's a disaster, so who could possibly know?
“Hollywood's been called a disaster, so the fix is a federal tax break for the studios. Trump says he'll make movies great again, and Jon Voight got a seat at the meeting. The ticket's paid, but the popcorn costs extra.”
“Listen, Hollywood is a disaster—everyone knows it. Trump has the solution: tax incentives, and frankly, that's how you get movies made. Did he say Jon Voight? Well, that's... I mean, what else would you expect?”
The receipts
President Trump called on Congress to quickly approve a nationwide tax incentive for film and television production, throwing his weight behind a rare bipartisan push to lure entertainment jobs back to the US.
Jon Voight previously met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago to push a federal tax incentive aimed at reviving domestic film production and saving Hollywood jobs.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.