Whoopi Goldberg Decries Trump’s Proposed Film Tariff, Newsom Expresses Interest
Whoopi Goldberg, the Oscar-winning actress and co-host of "The View," vehemently criticized former President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff on foreign-produced films during a recent episode of the show. Goldberg argued that such a tariff would stifle creative expression and limit opportunities for filmmakers, ultimately harming the industry and America’s cultural influence.
Trump’s plan, announced earlier this week, involved a 100% tariff on all movies entering the United States that were produced in foreign lands. The stated goal was to incentivize film production within the country and revitalize the domestic film industry. Trump also appointed Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as special ambassadors to the Hollywood community. Voight, along with special advisor Steven Paul, reportedly presented a comprehensive plan to the president aimed at saving the film and television industry. This plan supposedly involved input from numerous film and television organizations, including guilds, unions, studios, and streamers, regarding necessary changes to boost domestic film production.
Goldberg’s primary objection centered on the perceived restriction of creative freedom. She argued that the tariff would effectively dictate the types of stories filmmakers could tell, particularly those requiring international settings or collaborations. "You can’t do that because what that equates to is you’re going to tell me how to write the story I want to write if it happens in Europe," Goldberg stated emphatically. "You’re telling me that if my book comes out, and I want to write it, you’re telling me how to write it. You’re telling me you’re going to charge me for it."
She also addressed the economic factors that often drive filmmakers to shoot abroad. Goldberg pointed out that California, traditionally the heart of the American film industry, has become increasingly expensive, leading many productions to seek more affordable locations, such as Canada. "The problem has always been, it’s been very expensive to shoot in California. That’s why we shoot in Canada. It has nothing to do with why," she explained.
Goldberg further emphasized the importance of location authenticity in filmmaking, citing examples like "The Passion of the Christ" and "Gladiator." She argued that certain stories necessitate specific environments and that limiting filmmakers’ ability to shoot on location would compromise the integrity and impact of their work. "But, you know ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ you couldn’t have shot that in Texas. You can’t shoot ‘Gladiator’ without going to Rome. It is part of what we do. Please stop," she urged.
Beyond the artistic implications, Goldberg raised concerns about the potential impact on the United States’ global image. She highlighted the role of American films in promoting the English language and showcasing American culture to audiences worldwide. "And also, not for nothing, the movies teach people English. We teach people all, who will never get to America, what America is all about. We show them who we are. If you impose a tax like this, you are saying that we’re not good enough and that is not the case. We are the best in the world," she asserted. Goldberg also declared that Trump does not represent America, telling viewers “we don’t want this.”
The co-host proposed an alternative solution: strengthening tax incentives at the state level to make filming in the United States more attractive. "The bottom line is, tax incentives. If you want to change, you got to change it in the states. You have to make it available to people to shoot here in the states. Don’t stop us from going over and shooting overseas, because then you’re limiting us," she said. Goldberg’s argument echoes a long-standing debate within the film industry about the balance between economic considerations, creative freedom, and the preservation of American cultural dominance.
Interestingly, while Goldberg voiced strong opposition to Trump’s proposed tariff, California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed interest in the idea of boosting domestic film production. In a social media post, Newsom acknowledged California’s historical role in building the film industry and expressed a willingness to collaborate with the federal government to bring more jobs back to the state. "California built the film industry — and we’re ready to bring even more jobs home," Newsom wrote. "We’ve proven what strong state incentives can do. Now it’s time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again. [POTUS], let’s get it done."
Newsom’s response suggests a potential avenue for compromise and collaboration between the state and federal governments in addressing the challenges facing the American film industry. Whether Trump’s proposed tariff would have effectively revitalized domestic film production remains a subject of debate. However, Goldberg’s passionate defense of creative freedom and Newsom’s openness to exploring solutions highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of the issue. The industry is consistently changing and these proposals can have a great impact. The industry has been in need of repair and these ideas are worth considering.
