Full Breakdown
Trump Pushes Federal Tax Incentive to Revive U.S. Film and TV Production
9/1/2026, 3:51:52 AM
Core Event: Presidential Call for a Nationwide Production Credit
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will urge Congress to pass a federal production incentive aimed at restoring domestic film and television work. In a Truth Social post, Trump said he had just met with actor Jon Voight—one of his “Special Ambassadors” to Hollywood—and described the industry as a “complete and total disaster.”
Background & Context
The push follows a multi-year decline in U.S. on-location production. Analysts note that the share of American films and scripted series shot abroad rose from about 33 % in 2022 to roughly 45 % this year, with many projects moving to Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and other jurisdictions offering tax credits. State-level incentives in California, New York, Georgia and elsewhere have softened the loss but have not halted the outflow. Earlier in 2025, Trump floated a 100 % tariff on foreign-produced movies, a proposal that met resistance and prompted the current tax-credit strategy.
Data & Statistics
- International production share: ? 45 % of U.S. films and scripted TV shows (up from ? 33 % in 2022).
- Job impact: about 73,000 domestic film-related jobs lost nationwide, two-thirds in Los Angeles.
- Proposed credit levels: Sen. Adam Schiff’s draft legislation would offer a 15 % credit on qualifying labor costs; industry-backed proposals from Voight’s team and SP Media Group suggest a 20 % credit.
Official Statements & Responses
White House spokesman Kush Desai confirmed that policy advisors are reviewing the proposal and that discussions with bipartisan lawmakers are underway.
Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democratic California senator, has long advocated for a national incentive. He told an event in March that “state programs cannot simply substitute for the kind of global, federal and competitive tax incentives that are needed to bring production back to American soil and stop its offshoring.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “The amount of money spent on Tax Incentives will be made up tenfold by the money pouring into the Treasury’s coffers,” — President Trump
- “A federal incentive would be a landmark step toward bringing more production to local communities in all 50 states, strengthening our nation’s economy, and making our country a more competitive place to produce, create, and tell great stories.” — Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO
What’s Next
The White House has scheduled meetings with congressional leaders from both parties to shape the legislation. A Senate hearing on runaway production, led by Sen. Schiff, was held in March, and industry groups—including the Directors Guild of America and the union represented by Russell Hollander—have pledged to lobby for the bill. The timeline for a formal bill introduction remains pending, but the administration signals that a rapid legislative path is a priority.
