Former President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack against California Governor Gavin Newsom, claiming that America’s film industry has been “stolen” from the state “just like candy from a baby.” The comments came in a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social.
The former president’s remarks represent his latest criticism of California’s leadership amid ongoing concerns about production moving to other states and countries, a phenomenon known in the industry as “runaway production.”
Hollywood’s Changing Landscape
Trump’s comments touch on real challenges facing California’s entertainment industry. For decades, Hollywood has been synonymous with American filmmaking, but in recent years, production has increasingly moved to states offering competitive tax incentives like Georgia, Louisiana, and New Mexico, as well as countries like Canada and the United Kingdom.
These locations have attracted major studios and productions with financial incentives that California has struggled to match, despite efforts to expand its own tax credit program. The result has been a gradual erosion of California’s once-dominant position in film and television production.
Industry data shows that while Los Angeles remains a major production hub, its share of feature film production has declined significantly over the past two decades. Television production has followed a similar pattern, with many shows filming in other locations despite being set in California.
Political Dimensions
Trump’s criticism of Newsom adds to a long-running political rivalry between the two figures, who represent opposing political viewpoints. Newsom, a Democrat who has positioned himself as a leading voice against Trump’s policies, has frequently criticized the former president’s approach to governance.
The film industry comment appears designed to highlight economic challenges in California under Democratic leadership. Trump has previously criticized California’s tax rates, regulations, and policies on issues ranging from immigration to environmental protection.
Newsom has not yet publicly responded to Trump’s latest comments. The governor has previously defended California’s economic performance and pointed to the state’s efforts to support its entertainment industry through expanded tax credit programs.
Industry Response
Film industry representatives have long advocated for more competitive tax incentives in California to stem the flow of production to other locations. In 2022, California expanded its film and television tax credit program to $330 million annually, but this still falls short of incentives offered by some competing locations.
The Motion Picture Association, which represents major studios, has emphasized the economic impact of film and television production, noting that the industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide and generates significant economic activity in production locations.
While some industry observers might agree with Trump’s assessment that California has lost ground in film production, many would likely take issue with the characterization that the industry has been “stolen,” pointing instead to market forces and policy decisions across multiple administrations.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over California’s economic policies and the challenges facing traditional industry centers as they compete in an increasingly mobile production environment. As states and countries continue to offer competitive incentives for film production, California’s fight to maintain its historic position in the entertainment industry remains a politically charged issue.
