Hollywood, Trump’s Ambassadors, and Film Industry Politics
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/03/16
Scott Hamm Duenas is an actor, producer, and martial artist known for Final Wager and ReBroken. With over 15 years in SAG/AFTRA, he has appeared in General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful. Passionate about storytelling, he blends physicality and visionary filmmaking in his dynamic performances and productions.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What might happen with these appointments of conservative ambassadors?
Scott Hamm Duenas: President Trump appointing Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as Hollywood ambassadors would add to his list of appointing change agents to his new administration.
Having leaders in Hollywood who are huge stars but also happen to be conservatives could potentially cause a lot of friction. Since becoming president in 2016, Hollywood, Trump, and Trump supporters are like oil and water; they do not mix. I think you would have to influence many very important people to open their minds to the thought of taking these people and their ambassadorship seriously.
Although, if they don’t come in overly aggressive, trying to force their views on people and instead come up with a plan to push for a return to more traditional forms of storytelling, emphasizing themes like patriotism and resilience, which are often associated with their work, I think that could possibly work, especially if that type of programming is a hit with audiences. At the end of the day, the industry is all about making a profit. If that type of contest equates to clicks, streams, and butts in seats, Hollywood will shift its content without hesitation. That being said, it wouldn’t alter Hollywood’s core values or diminish its commitment to telling progressive stories and giving a platform to issues they deeply believe in and feel deserve to be heard.
Jacobsen: How might this come across to the industry as a whole?
Duenas: Realistically, the ambassadors’ involvement could really rub a lot of heavy hitters, including studios, producers, actors, directors, and writers, the wrong way. This could even deepen existing divides within the industry, as Hollywood is very proud of its liberal stance, and the last thing they want is lectures about how to do business from conservatives.
No matter how their ideas are presented, they will definitely conjure up mixed reactions. Some stars may support their initiatives, some will stay neutral, and others—I think the majority—will oppose them.
While they could advocate for bringing production back to California, I don’t know how much credit they would get, as things are already moving in that direction for 2025. Plans for tax incentives are already in the works to bring more production back from other states and countries, which would be huge for California and the enormous number of people this industry provides income for in the Golden State.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Scott.
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