Silence or Emigrate: How Hollywood is Dealing with Trump 2.0

RND Silence or Emigrate: How Hollywood is Dealing with Trump 2.0 14 hours • 4 minutes reading time Eight years ago, after Donald Trump's first inauguration as US President, Hollywood didn't hold back. In January 2017, one day after Trump's inauguration, millions of people around the world took to the streets against the Republican. At the "Women's March" in Washington, stars like Madonna, Scarlett Johansson, and Emma Watson cheered on the crowds. In Los Angeles, celebrities like Jane Fonda and Miley Cyrus joined in large demonstrations. The protests were directed against, among other things, misogyny, violence, racism, homophobia, and religious intolerance. Earlier, Oscar winner Meryl Streep used the Golden Globe stage to deliver a passionate and admonishing plea for tolerance and freedom of the press against Trump. Some are emigrating But this time, it's conspicuously quiet. Is Hollywood cowering before Trump? The Oscar gala in March was largely apolitical. The film industry, which almost unanimously opposed the Republican during the election campaign, remained silent, as if paralyzed by shock. The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles added to the paralyzing effect. Some celebrities have turned their backs on Hollywood following Trump's second election victory. Comedian Rosie O'Donnell (63) moved to Ireland with her youngest child because of the political situation in the US. She misses her other children and her friends, but she would only consider returning when there are equal rights for all people there, the lesbian actress said in a TikTok video. Talk show star Ellen DeGeneres (67) and her wife Portia de Rossi (52) fled California to England. Hollywood star Richard Gere (75) moved to her home country with his Spanish wife Alejandra in December for family reasons. At the Spanish Goya Film Awards in February, the actor denounced Trump as a "bully and a gangster" and a danger to the entire world. Texan-born Eva Longoria (50), who has been commuting between Mexico and Spain with her family for some time, considers herself fortunate to no longer live "in this dystopian country" after Trump's victory, she told Marie Claire magazine. A German man offers harsh criticism German-born and longtime California resident Eric Braeden, star of the US soap opera "The Young and the Restless" ("The Young and the Restless"), is among those who are harshly critical of Trump. In Instagram videos, the 84-year-old doesn't mince his words. He draws comparisons to the early days of Nazi rule in Germany. He has lived in the US since 1959, but has never experienced such a threat to the rule of law, the actor laments. Most people are so dismayed by Trump's brazen actions that no one is doing anything about it. But that will change, Braeden warned in a video message in mid-February. Openly criticizing requires courage and a thick skin. The liberal TV star is receiving a flood of negative comments on Instagram. He is told to stop spreading "left-wing propaganda." He can leave if he doesn't like it here, according to the reactions. Braeden asserts in an interview with dpa that he won't let anyone silence him. But: "I'm really hurting for America." Trump's "Special Ambassador" He wants to make Hollywood "bigger, better, and stronger than ever," Trump announced on his online platform Truth Social in mid-January. To achieve this, he will appoint Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as "Special Ambassadors." "These three very talented individuals will be my eyes and ears." A golden age is dawning for Hollywood, Trump wrote. The Republican didn't get any more specific. Even three months later, there has been no announcement from the pro-Trump trio, as the Los Angeles Times recently reported. Hollywood has long been irked by the fact that major film productions are moving to other US states or abroad, lured by tax breaks. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is pushing for a stronger tax break for Hollywood. Meanwhile, Trump's bitter tariff dispute with China could harm the domestic film industry. Beijing is fighting back with more than just retaliatory tariffs. The film regulator will "moderately reduce" the number of imported US films, state broadcaster CCTV recently reported. Lower revenues in the huge Chinese cinema market could hit Hollywood hard. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Measures for diversity, equity, and inclusion don't fit into Trump's world. His presidential decree to roll back DEI measures ("DEI" stands for "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion") is also affecting Hollywood. Entertainment companies such as Disney, Amazon Studios, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery have scaled back their diversity efforts, according to US industry publications. DEI measures are intended to include people of different backgrounds, genders, or even people with trauma or disabilities. The political climate may also influence content. The removal of a trans character from the new animated Pixar series "Win or Lose," about a middle school sports team, recently caused a stir. The Disney-owned animation studio removed all dialogue about transgender identity from one episode of the eight-part series, as The Hollywood Reporter reported. In another episode, however, the main character is a girl who prays fervently. Documentary about Melania A documentary about the First Lady in the White House, Melania Trump (55), is already in the works. It is being directed by Hollywood director Brett Ratner ("X-Men: The Last Stand"). The project is described as an "unprecedented" behind-the-scenes look at the First Lady. She is reportedly on board as an executive producer. The documentary is scheduled for release later this year. The streaming service Amazon Prime Video is behind the project, which, according to the "Los Angeles Times," reportedly paid $40 million for the rights. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was among the guests at Trump's inauguration.