The night preceding Trump’s return to the colossal White House witnessed a grand celebration spinning its charm at the renowned Sat Restaurant & Lounge of D.C. The highlight of the night was the scintillating performance by Atlanta’s famous rapper Waka Flocka Flame, and the jovial commendations of eminent conservative personas like Ben Shapiro, Terrence K. Williams and ‘Am I Racist?’ sensation, Matt Walsh. A gathering of over 600 enthusiasts partied until the break of dawn, showcasing an evident sentiment that contrasted the aura of 2017, where Trump was heavily sidelined by principal media houses.
Chief technology elites like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Tim Cook are undoubtedly amongst the chosen few to remain significant in the invitee list for Trump’s ensuing tenure at the White House. Their allegiance showcased at Monday’s inauguration bears testimony to their assured presence. The query on the lips of many in entertainment business – how far will Hollywood align itself with Trump in this intriguing times?
There exists a faction that yearns for a rewind to 2020, pre-pandemic, void of the strikes and ravaging wildfires that gruesomely impaired the twitching Hollywood economic structure. They would accept this revival gladly, even if it implies bearing Trump’s occasional spiteful commentary on the entertainment industry.
Interestingly, the predominantly left-aligned faction of the industry – the unions – are, under hushed tones, longing for Trump’s proposed import tariffs. They anticipate that this policy might compensate for run-off productions, thereby encouraging filming in severely distressed centers like Los Angeles and Atlanta.
The quiet acceptance of Trump’s growing influence in the industry is as bewildering to many industry bigwigs as the sight of media moguls – ranging from Amazon’s executive chairman Bezos to Disney’s CEO Bob Iger – journeying to Mar-a-Lago or generously donating to Trump’s inaugural fund.
Switching loyalties is not an uncommon practice in the showbiz world. To illustrate, Beyoncé entertained at George W. Bush’s inauguration in 2001 as part of Destiny’s Child, only to croon verses for Barack Obama when he assumed office in 2009.
Drea de Matteo, famed for her role in ‘The Sopranos,’ affirms she voted for Biden in 2020. Yet, she swerved towards complete MAGA support in 2024, disenchanted by Democrats’ aggressive stance on implementing COVID vaccine mandates.
Indications of her influence were evident when TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, awarded Trump with public acknowledgment. Thanking him, Chew applauded Trump’s dedication in collaborating with them to find possible solutions following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of a lower court’s verdict that imposed a ban on the China-based app in the U.S.
While the billionaires warmly engage with Trump, it is improbable that the cluster of actors voicing their public support for the newest president will swell beyond the tight circle containing celebrities like Zachary Levi and Rob Schneider.
Roseanne Barr was a part of an even more petite assembly who candidly admitted to electing Trump in 2016. ‘The liberation of my artistic pursuits delight me to no end, with Trump’s election,’ Barr shares with Variety.
‘As an American, I always thought that artistic freedom was a given. So, regaining it would definitely be appreciated.’ Further highlighting the disillusionment even prominent figures in the entertainment industry have experienced under a Biden and Harris administration, pushing them towards the Trump regime.
The Hollywood landscape is poised for a significant shift with these changing times. However, Biden’s inability to maintain the trust of industry giants, and Harris’s lack of initiative, underscore the inclination towards what Trump represents. His stalwart supporters see hope and positive growth.
Ultimately, loyalty among these Hollywood figures remains as fickle as the winds of their Beverly Hills mansions. Despite the disapproval emanating from Biden and Harris’s economically destructive policies, only the brave few venture into the realm of open support for Trump. Their understanding of the needs of the entertainment industry and our nation’s economy is indeed lamentable.
Moving forward, the true test for Trump will be his ability to capitalize on these sentiments, capture the loyalty of those disillusioned by the administration of Biden and Harris, and continue to advocate for policies that benefit the economy at large, and particularly, Hollywood. Biden’s and Harris’s slip-ups only make this task easier.