President Donald Trump is currently engaged in a multifaceted series of initiatives that are generating significant global unease, actions compounded by his ongoing trade war. One particularly jarring proposal involves Hollywood, where a palpable sense of panic and confusion reigns. Trump has threatened to impose a staggering 100% tariff on any film produced outside the United States, even if those films are, at their core, American-made productions.
The source of Hollywood’s anxiety stems from the fact that many countries, including Canada, offer attractive financial incentives to American filmmakers. These incentives effectively lure productions across the border, with cities like Toronto frequently standing in for New York or Los Angeles in cinematic portrayals. Trump even jokingly suggested to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during a recent visit, the prospect of Canada becoming the 51st state, a proposition Carney firmly rejected, declaring that Canada is not for sale. Trump’s response was a cryptic "Never say never."
California Governor Gavin Newsom has attempted to counter Trump’s protectionist stance by advocating for a substantial $7.5 billion federal tax incentive for the film industry, a figure far exceeding California’s own $330 million credit. Trump, however, dismissed Newsom as "grossly incompetent" for allegedly allowing the film industry to be "taken away from Hollywood." He then shifted blame to streaming services, arguing that the proliferation of platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Max, and Hulu has conditioned audiences to consume movies and TV shows on personal devices rather than in traditional theaters. This divergence of opinion between Trump and Newsom, a prominent figure with apparent presidential ambitions, inevitably devolved into a blame game.
Beyond the cinematic realm, Trump is also advocating for the reconstruction of the infamous Alcatraz prison. The island, known as "the Rock," served as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, ultimately closing due to its exorbitant operating costs. Alcatraz housed notorious gangsters such as "Machine Gun" Kelly and Al Capone, figures Trump frequently invokes. In a social media post, Trump lamented what he perceives as a decline in national seriousness, stating that in times past, the nation did not hesitate to incarcerate the most dangerous criminals and isolate them from society. He highlighted the fact that no successful escape has ever been recorded from Alcatraz, due to the perilous mile-long swim through frigid waters to reach San Francisco.
Trump has reportedly ordered federal authorities to reopen Alcatraz to house America’s most ruthless and violent criminals. However, this initiative is largely viewed as symbolic. The logistical and financial challenges of reopening Alcatraz are substantial, and it remains uncertain whether Trump will be able to secure the necessary funding, despite claims from some supporters that it would ultimately save money. It is widely expected that the island will continue to primarily serve as a tourist attraction.
Another source of controversy is the emergence of an AI-generated image depicting Trump dressed as the Pope. Initially, Trump attempted to downplay the image, questioning whether people lacked a sense of humor and claiming that Catholics, in general, appreciated it. He also denied any involvement in its creation. However, when pressed on why the image was later posted on the official White House account, Trump retreated to the explanation that he simply wanted to have "some fun."
The image has provoked widespread outrage, particularly among Catholic leaders. Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi denounced it as offensive to believers, insulting to institutions, and indicative of a leader who revels in being a clown. The New York State Catholic Conference expressed similar sentiments, stating that there was nothing clever or funny about the image, especially considering the recent passing of Pope Francis and the upcoming conclave to elect a new successor. The bishop of Springfield, Illinois, invoked biblical scripture, warning that God is not mocked and that Trump’s actions mocked God, the Catholic Church, and the Papacy.
Amidst these controversies, Trump has taken a surprising stance on the abortion pill mifepristone, aligning himself with the Biden administration’s position. In a recent court filing, the Trump administration urged a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by three conservative attorneys general seeking to severely restrict access to the pill. The case is being heard by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas, a judge with a well-documented history of opposing abortion. This move has drawn criticism, with some accusing Trump of hypocrisy, arguing that he is employing a similar tactic to that often attributed to liberals, where a single judge can potentially impose his will on the entire country through strategic venue selection.
While Trump takes credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a decision made possible by his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices, the administration’s filing in the mifepristone case does not address the merits of the lawsuit. Instead, it focuses on a procedural argument, asserting that the lawsuit fails to meet the legal standard required for a Texas court to hear it.
Judge Kacsmaryk, relying in part on an 1873 law, ruled that the attorneys general of Idaho, Missouri, and Kansas can proceed with their lawsuit, citing the potential for "irreparable harm" if the motion is not granted. He also pointed to the deaths of at least two women from chemical abortion drugs in the past year. If the Trump administration’s appeal is successful, it would likely slow down efforts to restrict access to mifepristone, a drug that was initially approved by the FDA in 2000.
While abortion may have receded somewhat as a dominant political issue, Trump’s ability to generate surprise and drive the news cycle remains undiminished. His actions and pronouncements continue to spark debate and division across a wide range of issues, both domestically and internationally.
