President Trump Criticizes Newsom Over Proposed Federal Tax Credit for Hollywood

President Trump criticized Gavin Newsom on Tuesday merely hours after the California Governor requested cooperation on an extensive film tax incentive program.

"California created the film industry – and we're prepared to attract even more employment opportunities back here. We have shown what robust statewide incentives can achieve," said Newsom. post on X He said, "Now it's time for a genuine federal collaboration to Rekindle American Cinema."

His request followed the announcement made by the president over the weekend where he would impose 100% tariffs Regarding all movies made outside the U.S., Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social that the country’s film sector is “Dying an extremely rapid death.”

The movie business has faced numerous setbacks recently, particularly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the Hollywood strikes in 2023. Since then, production hasn’t managed to bounce back to what it was before the pandemic. experiencing a 22% drop In the initial three months of 2025 compared to the levels in 2024.

Last year, Newsom along with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass did suggested boosting California's yearly film tax incentive from $330 million to $750 million.

President Trump addressed various subjects including Governor Newsom when he was approached by journalists during a White House discussion with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office on Tuesday. The previous day, he had convened a gathering with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and several others to unveil that The NFL draft will take place in Washington in 2027. The president likewise discussed Newsom and Hollywood.

He stated that the American film sector has been severely undermined by international competition and the "woefully inept" Newsom, leading to the abandonment of the country by this industry. However, he asserted that they will reclaim their position. He mentioned his plan to meet with several key figures from the film business to ensure these potential tariffs make them satisfied.

The president made reference to the California High-Speed Rail The project, which would operate between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

A small locomotive traveling between San Francisco and Los Angeles is operated by Gavin Newscum, who currently serves as the governor of California," Mr. Trump stated. "Have you come across Gavin Newscum? That train has faced severe budget overruns; it’s one of the most expensive projects I’ve witnessed. This ridiculous initiative shouldn’t have even been started, costing hundreds of billions.

Mr. Trump briefly offered some gentle remarks about Newsom amidst his torrent of criticism.

He mentioned, 'And Gavin, you know, I've always gotten along well with Gavin,'.

He likewise addressed the wildfires that occurred in January. asserting that he provided water to California .

“I recently provided him with a substantial amount of water. I dispatched individuals to help him access that water since he was unwilling to do so himself,” stated Mr. Trump. “Had they possessed this water and followed my instructions, the fires in Los Angeles could have been prevented; these blazes would have been extinguished much more rapidly.”

The president visited Los Angeles In late January, along with the First Lady, and just weeks following two huge wildfires that ravaged opposing ends of Los Angeles County, he arrived at the airport where Newsom welcomed him upon landing.

“I don’t believe you can grasp just how severe this situation is, how truly heart-wrenching it becomes, unless you witness it firsthand,” Mr. Trump stated at the time. “To be honest, I had seen numerous terrible scenes on TV, yet nothing compares to actually seeing the scale and impact of it. We circled overhead in a helicopter; we visited several affected regions, and let me tell you—it’s sheer devastation.”

Mr. Trump concluded his remarks with a challenge directed at California's governor.

“I would enjoy seeing him compete for presidency on the opposing party’s ticket. It could make for an interesting scenario, however, I doubt he will pursue this as his current undertaking along with dealing with those wildfires and numerous other issues have likely disqualified him from contention,” he stated.