President Donald Trump has found an unlikely ally in his effort to revive Hollywood and bring film and television production jobs back to the United States: Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif, as reported by Fox News.
The two political opponents have spent years on opposite sides of some of Washington’s biggest battles. Schiff led the first impeachment effort against Trump and has remained one of the president’s most outspoken critics.
But both now support federal incentives aimed at reversing the loss of entertainment jobs and encouraging productions to return to Hollywood.
“I am in strong agreement with the President,” Schiff said on X. “Congress should immediately take up and pass a federal film tax incentive to bring back these good-paying jobs that we’ve lost to other countries.”
“Let’s work together — Republicans and Democrats — to get this done, and bring the movie magic back to America,” he continued.
I am in strong agreement with the President. Congress should immediately take up and pass a federal film tax incentive to bring back these good-paying jobs that we’ve lost to other countries.
Let’s work together — Republicans and Democrats — to get this done, and bring the movie… pic.twitter.com/adeBFYtbM3
— Senator Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) August 31, 2026
Trump has called for Congress to move quickly on federal tax incentives after years of production leaving California for other states and foreign countries offering more competitive financial packages.
The president recently met with actor Jon Voight, who serves as the U.S. special ambassador to Hollywood.
Following that meeting, Trump said he wanted lawmakers to develop legislation designed to strengthen the American movie, television, and entertainment industries.
Trump urged congressional leaders from both parties to act immediately to “craft Legislation to save the Movie, Television, and Entertainment Business in America.”
“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,” Trump said.
The effort comes as Hollywood continues to struggle with significant job losses. The entertainment industry has lost 49,000 jobs since 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Hollywood’s decline has followed the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of the streaming boom that helped drive a major expansion in film and television production.
At the same time, states and countries have increasingly used tax incentives to lure productions away from California.
Trump has criticized the condition of the once-dominant entertainment center, saying film and television production has moved elsewhere in the United States and overseas, leaving Hollywood a “complete and total disaster.”
California lawmakers have attempted to respond by expanding the state’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program.
The Legislature moved to more than double the program to $750 million and added incentives designed to encourage productions to relocate or remain in California.
However, the state’s effort faced another obstacle after Gov. Gavin Newsom imposed a $5 million state corporate tax credit cap over the next three years.
Despite California’s expanded program, competitors continue to offer larger packages. Georgia allocates more than $1 billion in production tax breaks, while New York provides roughly $800 million.
Canada and the United Kingdom also offer substantial incentives that have drawn American film and television production abroad.
Trump said the competitive imbalance has created little reason for productions to remain in California.
“There is no incentive to be there, and it is hurting California very badly,” Trump said. “Jon, and many others in the Industry, are suggesting we do Federal Tax Incentives in order to Make our Movie and Television Production Business GREAT AGAIN, perhaps GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
I just had a GREAT and very interesting meeting with my Hollywood Ambassador and Movie Legend, Jon Voight! He is a fantastic man who loves our Country, and feels strongly about the Motion Picture and Television Industry. He hates what’s happened to it! It is being dissipated in… pic.twitter.com/UVnVFKAh3H
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) August 31, 2026
The proposal now faces a difficult congressional calendar. September has a shortened schedule, October will be heavily focused on midterm election campaigning, and November will begin the lame duck session in Washington, D.C.
Still, the unusual agreement between Trump and Schiff could give the proposal bipartisan momentum.
After years of political warfare between the two, Hollywood’s shrinking job base appears to be one issue where even longtime enemies can agree that something needs to change.
