Trump calls for tax incentive to boost US film and TV shoots

Hollywood studios and unions have long sought a federal tax incentive, amid an outflow of film and TV productions to international hubs such as the UK, Canada, Australia, and Eastern Europe, which offer lucrative financial incentives. 

In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said he will push for a bipartisan bill called the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act. 

“I am going to suggest that Republicans and Democrats get together, and immediately craft legislation to save the movie, television, and entertainment business in America,” Trump wrote. “Congress should approve, immediately, a Federal Production Incentive to create entertainment jobs in America. It can be done quickly, accurately, efficiently, and, importantly, will benefit ALL of America. What we watch on the silver screen should be made in what was once the movie and motion picture capital of the world. Let’s get this done!” 

The film and TV production incentive would reportedly offer a 20% credit for labour both in front of and behind the camera. 

Charles Rivkin, the CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), welcomed Trump’s move in a statement. “For over a century, American studios, casts, and crews have produced the films and series that the world wants to see,” Rivkin said. “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.” 

Reports in the US media cited a dramatic drop in domestic production since 2022. Around 73,000 jobs have been lost nationwide, about two-thirds of them in Los Angeles. 

A federal US judge recently ruled that an executive order by President Trump to defund public broadcasters NPR and PBS violated the First Amendment and is "unlawful and unenforceable." Discover more here.