Trump's tariff blitz targets foreign films to save Hollywood's struggling movie industry



President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States is moving to impose a hefty tariff on foreign flicks to save the nation's struggling film industry.

Trump stated in a post on Truth Social that he had authorized the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative "to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands."

'The key concern, of course, will be how this might affect U.S. movie sales around the world.'

"The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated," Trump wrote. "This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat."

He argued that the foreign films pushed "propaganda."

"WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!" Trump declared.

The president told reporters that "Hollywood is being destroyed." He, in part, blamed "grossly incompetent" California Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

"Other nations have been stealing the moviemaking capabilities from the United States," he stated. "If they're not willing to make a movie inside the United States, then we should have a tariff on movies that come in."

In response to Trump's tariff announcement, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick confirmed that the administration is "on it."

In January, Trump named actors Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight Hollywood's "special ambassadors," tasked with bringing filmmaking back to the U.S.

"They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK — BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE! These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!" Trump stated.

At the time of Trump's announcement, Gibson told Variety, "I got the tweet at the same time as all of you and was just as surprised. Nevertheless, I heed the call. My duty as a citizen is to give any help and insight I can."

A Friday report from Deadline stated that Voight has been meeting with union representatives and studio executives to better understand Hollywood's challenges.

In April, Voight's manager, Steven Paul, told NBC News that Voight planned to soon present Trump with a list of ideas to revive the nation's movie industry. Those proposals reportedly include incentives for infrastructure investments, job training, and tax code alterations.

According to Politico, state Sen. Ben Allen (D) and "a person close to the White House" have attributed the foreign film tariffs to Voight.

Allen told the news outlet, "To be honest, at first blush I generally see this as a positive development. Unlike a lot of the other items on Trump's tariffs list, we know that TV and movies can be made 100% in the USA right now and at a very high caliber."

"The key concern, of course, will be how this might affect U.S. movie sales around the world," he added.

A rep for Voight did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Rolling Stone.

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Trump Moves To Punish Outsourced Film Productions With Massive Tariff, Citing ‘National Security’

'Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death'

'Keanu, you owe me': UFC coach claims Keanu Reeves stole his technique for 'John Wick' fight scene



A beloved UFC trainer and coach accused actor Keanu Reeves of taking some of his unique techniques and using them in a movie.

Firas Zahabi is a legendary coach who runs the Tristar Gym in Montreal, Canada. Outside of owning the gym, Zahabi is most known for training former welterweight champion and all-time UFC great Georges St-Pierre.

During a podcast, Zahabi recalled teaching a student before finding out his name is Keanu. Upon learning that the student was Lebanese just like him, Zahabi wondered why someone of his ethnic background would have that name. Zahabi said the student informed him that actor Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, and his parents were fans.

This jokingly shocked Zahabi, who said that Reeves "years ago, he stole one of my moves."

Zahabi joked that he could not believe that a fellow Lebanese person would bite his style without crediting him. Zahabi said, in particular, that a scene from "John Wick: Chapter 2" used a jujitsu move he called the "web guard," where one counters an opponent by jumping in the air and pulling them to the ground.

"It was a great move, it’s called the web guard. I used to call it the web guard. I used to rush people punching and kicking and then whenever they would grab a hold of me, if they grabbed me with an underhook, I would jump web guard. If I grab them with an underhook, I could also do it, so it didn’t matter to me, which is what I loved. As soon as we tied up, I could get the fight to the ground."

Firas Zahabi (left) and former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre in 2018. Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Zahabi showed a scene from the movie, known as the museum fight scene, and juxtaposed it with footage of his own technique in the gym.

"I put this move out of circulation," Zahabi went on. "But then a man by the name of Keanu Reeves, the man actually dared to rip me off."

'When the white man steals from me, I'm not so upset. I expect it! But a fellow Lebanese?'

While most of his comments appeared to be in jest, Zahabi still fully went down the path of claiming Reeves, and assumedly his fight choreographer for the film, Chad Stahelski, had stolen his technique without crediting him.

He also made jokes that were sure to offend some.

"Now, I'm used to the white man stealing from me, but if he's a fellow Lebanese, that’s the problem. Now that I know he's a fellow Lebanese, I must insist that I collect from him. When the white man steals from me, I'm not so upset. I expect it! But a fellow Lebanese? This cannot go unpunished. He jumps web guard in the movie. Long story short, Keanu, you owe me massari."

While Reeves was born in Lebanon, his parents are English and Hawaiian, which may change Zahabi's feelings on the matter.

Stahelski reportedly started MMA in the early 1990s, however, while Zahabi did not start his martial arts journey allegedly until 1998.

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Actor John Lithgow refuses to back out of 'Harry Potter' series over JK Rowling's transgender views: 'Oh, heavens no'



Actor John Lithgow said he would not consider backing out of his new "Harry Potter" television show because of author J.K. Rowling's controversies.

Lithgow declined an opportunity to speak against celebrated author Rowling during an interview about HBO's new "Harry Potter" series, as Rowling is said to be heavily involved.

Rowling has faced significant backlash for her views on transgender issues, particularly regarding men who believe they are women. Since about 2018, she has expressed concerns about men entering women's spaces, especially in sports, and has been the target of accusations from activists.

Rowling was even accused of hate speech by an Olympic boxer who fought in the women's division despite strong evidence that he is a man. Rowling also dared authorities to arrest her for her remarks and won the standoff.

'Why is this a factor at all?'

In an interview with the Times of London, Lithgow said he has received some backlash of his own since agreeing to join the new series. The 79-year-old said he "absolutely" did not expect people to have such strong reactions and was simply thinking about how big the role will be, given that it is an eight-year commitment.

The Times revealed that some of the comments Lithgow received accused him of figuratively donning a Ku Klux Klan hood by agreeing to a role in a Rowling-backed program.

Before it was even announced that he had the role, Lithgow said he received a message from "a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child," which, to him, seemed to be the "canary in the coal mine."

"I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?' I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it," Lithgow continued. "I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her, and I'm curious to talk to her."

When asked if the criticism put him off the idea of starring in the show, Lithgow replied, "Oh, heavens no."

Rowling has unfortunately had to get used to backlash from other famous "Harry Potter" faces for her simple beliefs. The stars of the original "Harry Potter" films — Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint — have all spoken out in opposition to her views.

"Transgender women are women," Radcliffe wrote in 2020. "Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter."

Similarly, actress Watson said in 2020 that "trans people are who they say they are" and noted that she had donated to a pro-transgender organization.

It was seemingly the hope of Rowling's detractors that she would somehow not be involved in future iterations of "Harry Potter." However according to Variety, HBO executive Casey Bloys has told media members that Rowling was "very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director" and that her beliefs have not affected the casting or hiring of staff.

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Pretend newsman Clooney's message to America: Trust journalists!



Give George Clooney a little credit.

The star played a doctor on NBC’s “ER” for five seasons, but he never dragged a stranger into surgery to remove his gallbladder.

David’s 'My Dinner with Adolf' op-ed in the New York Times earlier this week got a lot of attention, in part because it’s the first time David created something profoundly unfunny.

“I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”

Too bad he doesn’t take a similar approach to his newest gig. He’s starring as journalist Edward R. Murrow in “Good Night, and Good Luck,” the Broadway adaptation of his 2005 film. Now, everywhere, Clooney is weighing in on the state of journalism as if he spent decades under the tutelage of Woodward and/or Bernstein.

He didn’t. And it shows. Every time he hails the glory of the fourth estate, he ignores how it covered up President Joe Biden’s obvious dementia-like condition. Even worse for Clooney? He did, too. He saw the diminished Biden up close and personal at a DNC fundraiser last June but didn’t write his "Get Out, Joe” New York Times op-ed until weeks later.

The least Clooney can do now is act a little embarrassed ...

Netflix to cinemas: Drop dead

Ted Sarandos has vision. To a point.

The Netflix CEO lords over the mightiest streaming platform —the one that inspired “Netflix and chill” — and has scared movie studios silly.

Why? Netflix churns out film-quality “content” that allows consumers to stay home rather than go to the cineplex.

That’s a dying model anyway, Sarandos argues.

“Folks grew up thinking, ‘I want to make movies on a gigantic screen and have strangers watch them [and to have them] play in the theater for two months and people cry and sold-out shows. ... It’s an outdated concept.”

In the same speech, Sarandos explained why theaters will go the way of the eight-track tape.

“If you’re fortunate to live ... in Manhattan, and you can walk to a multiplex and see a movie, that’s fantastic. Most of the country cannot.”

Shhh! Nobody tell him they invented these box-like contraptions that take people from point A to point B on just a few drops of fossil fuel ...

Jar Jar's comeback

We’re sorry, George! (Lucas, not Clooney.)

The “Star Wars” maestro caught endless heat for his prequel films: “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones,” and “Revenge of the Sith.” The trio couldn’t replicate the magic of his original saga.

And to be blunt, Padme, Anakin, and Jar Jar Binks never joined the pop culture canon like Han, Chewie, and friends.

Now, “Revenge of the Sith” is getting a re-release for its 20th anniversary, and the film could make a pretty penny. Initial calls say it’ll make $25-plus million, a remarkable sum for a title that’s been available on home video for years.

That’s also more than brand-new films like “Until Dawn” and “The Accountant 2” will earn in their debut frames.

Movie studios might want to give their film libraries a long look moving forward. It might be more profitable than greenlighting yet another remake or reboot ...

Marvel's 'Fantastic' fanatics

Speaking of reboots, the actors behind the upcoming “Fantastic Four” update have a message for Rachel Zegler. Hold our beer.

First, Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn (Invisible Girl and the Human Torch, respectively) trashed the comic book source material as antiquated, much like Zegler did with Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

Now, co-star Pedro Pascal is declaring war on beloved author J.K. Rowling. Her crime, in the actor’s eyes? She cheered on the U.K.’s Supreme Court for deciding that men are men and women are women. Oh, and she doesn’t think trans women should compete against biological women.

The horror, the horror.

Pascal called for a boycott of the new “Harry Potter” Max series and all things Rowling.

Is this any way to promote a movie? “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” hits theaters July 25. We’ll see if the Zegler effect hampers its box-office tally ...

Maher's fuhrer furor

That’s what friends aren’t for.

Larry David took his pal Bill Maher to the woodshed for daring to break bread with President Donald Trump earlier this month. David’s “My Dinner with Adolf” op-ed in the New York Times earlier this week got a lot of attention, in part because it’s the first time David created something profoundly unfunny.

Well, Maher is firing back at his “friend,” although it appears their bond may be fading fast.

“But you know, to use the Hitler thing, first of all, I just think it’s kind of insulting to six million dead Jews. You know, like, that should kind of be in its own place in history.”

Read it again with the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” theme music playing. Loud.

Pedro Pascal attacks JK Rowling over UK's Supreme Court ruling protecting biological women from transgender individuals



Actor Pedro Pascal attacked author J.K. Rowling over her reaction to a recent landmark ruling by the U.K.'s Supreme Court that defines a woman based on biological sex, which could bar biological males posing as transgender females from spaces designated for biological women.

Last week, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom made a unanimous decision that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

'Awful disgusting S**T is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior.'

The BBC said of the Supreme Court ruling, "Specifically, they ruled that the definition of sex as used in the Equality Act 2010 is 'binary' and decided by biology — a person who was not born as a biological female cannot obtain the legal protections the Act affords to women by changing their gender with a Gender Recognition Certificate."

Rowling enthusiastically approved the Supreme Court ruling by posting a photo of herself on the X social media platform with a cigar and a drink with the caption, "I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights."

Numerous celebrities applauded the reaction by Rowling, including Elon Musk, Megyn Kelly, Jordan Peterson, and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.).

However, not everyone was as enthusiastic over Rowling's celebration of the historic ruling by the U.K.'s Supreme Court.

A pro-Palestinian and pro-transgender activist named Tariq Ra'ouf demanded a boycott of "Harry Potter" projects and experiences in an Instagram video.

Ra'ouf said of Rowling's post, "This is some serious Voldemort villain s**t, right here."

Ra'ouf urged everyone to make it their "mission" to make the "Harry Potter" franchise no longer profitable to "anyone who dares to do business with J.K. Rowling."

Speaking of Rowling's opinion that men who identify as transgender shouldn't be invading spaces designated for women, Ra'ouf said, "That s**t, that awful disgusting s**t, that has consequences."

In response to Ra'ouf's video, Pascal replied in the comments: “Awful disgusting S**T is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior.”

The official Instagram of Pascal has nearly 10 million followers.

Pascal – the 50-year-old star of HBO's "The Last of Us" – has been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community over the years.

Pascal has publicly supported his sibling, Lux Pascal, who came out as transgender in February 2021. Lux has accompanied Pascal to several red carpet premieres.

On Tuesday, Pedro Pascal attended the U.K. premiere of Marvel's "Thunderbolts" movie in London, England. Pascal was wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with the message "Protect the Dolls."

According to Newsweek, "dolls" is an "affectionate term within the LGBTQ+ community to refer to transgender women."

The $100 T-shirt is made by Conner Ives, who created the shirt to call attention to any anti-transgender sentiment.

"Given the U.S. federal government's current hostility towards trans people, support like this is needed now more than ever," according to the website that sells the pricey activist shirt.

Also this week, "The Mandalorian" actor shared an Instagram post that featured an apparent coffin with the caption, "An unjust law is no law at all." In the post, Pascal tagged the "Trans Kids Deserve Better" Instagram account, which demands: "We deserve equal access to gender-affirming health care. To delay care to a trans person is to deny it. We don't have time to wait. Secondly, we should be able to give informed consent to our own treatment — just as any cisgender young person already can."

As Blaze News previously reported, Pascal was widely lambasted after posting a social media tribute to Joseph Rosenbaum — one of Kyle Rittenhouse's attackers.

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Paramount to end DEI hiring and quota practices after writer sues for being told he doesn't 'check any diversity boxes'



Paramount Global has reportedly agreed to terminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which have included racial quotas for staff and writers.

Along with its subsidiary CBS, Paramount was sued by America First Legal on behalf of script supervisor Brian Beneker, who worked on the show "SEAL Team," a Paramount+ original series.

A lawsuit in February alleged that the companies engaged in discriminatory practices that were in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Beneker claimed that Paramount and CBS implemented racial quotas for writers' rooms. This claim was supplemented by public statements from George Cheeks, then-president and CEO of CBS, who said that he had set a goal for CBS' writing rooms to have 40% non-white staff members. A reported 17 of 21 shows on the network met or exceeded the target, which was subsequently followed by a demand that "half of all writers will be non-white" by "the 2022-2023 broadcast season."

Cheeks was touted in public reports as CBS' first black, biracial, and gay president.

'Diversity quotas that discriminate on the basis of race are unlawful.'

Beneker's complaint alleged that he was repeatedly denied promotions to a full-time "SEAL Team" staff writer position while at least six "black, female, or gay" writers were hired, despite having no writing credits or having what was described as limited experience.

Beneker said he asked the showrunner why he was being passed over, and the showrunner allegedly stated that Beneker did not "check any diversity boxes."

— (@)

AFL reported that as a result of the lawsuit, Paramount has since stopped setting numerical goals related to race, ethnicity, sex, or gender; stopped collecting data on the race, ethnicity, sex, or gender of applicants; and removed a 5% funding bonus for programs advancing DEI goals.

The legal group also said that Beneker has now agreed to dismiss his claims about the company after reaching a resolution.

"Paramount Global and CBS Studios have agreed to a settlement in a lawsuit America First Legal brought on behalf of our client Brian Beneker. America First Legal is pleased to see Paramount and CBS publicly back off their DEI requirements and return to merit-based considerations," said Nick Barry from America First Legal. "Diversity quotas that discriminate on the basis of race are unlawful. Others in the entertainment industry should take note."

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Cash for clunkers? Desperate Diesel begs for 'Furious' funding



Brother, can you spare $300 million?

Vin Diesel wants to make an 11th “Fast & Furious” movie, but the Universal suits think he’s high on his NOS supply.

'This is very, you know, it’s very white, this movie.'

The blockbuster franchise is running on fumes, creatively and financially. Did you see the ninth installment where they drove into space? Plus, “Fast X” made just $146 million stateside. It performed dramatically better overseas. These films don’t come cheap, and “Fast X” proved to be one of the most expensive films ever made.

That film ended with a cliffhanger, and Diesel went to social media to beg for closure.

“Universal… Please tell the best fans in the world, when the next movie is coming out. Please.” Diesel posted on Instagram.

You shouldn’t treat family this way …

The dork side

Disney is having trouble making “Star Wars” movies. Yes, the Mouse House scooped the saga up from George Lucas in 2012 for a cool $4 billion, but the studio hasn’t released a “Star Wars” film since 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.”

If you’ve seen that film, you can stop rolling your eyes.

Now, we have firm news about a new installment coming our way. The project is called “Star Wars: Starfighter,” and it features Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy (“Deadpool & Wolverine").

Imagine having all the resources at Disney’s disposal, and that's the title you settle on? The Force remains weak with this studio …

60 candles (and still kvetching)

She. Just. Won’t. Stop.

Molly Ringwald spent the 1980s capturing teen angst, courtesy of great John Hughes films like “Pretty in Pink,” “Sixteen Candles,” and “The Breakfast Club.”

She turned on those films in recent years, blasting them as unwoke and problematic.

The horror, the horror.

She did it again recently when “The Breakfast Club” cast reunited for an emotional moment at the C2E2 pop culture convention in Chicago.

Her castmates reminisced about the movie and their talented director. Ringwald played the woke card again during the appearance, when they were asked about a possible sequel or remake.

I believe in making movies that are inspired by other movies but build on it and represent what’s going on today. This is very, you know, it’s very white, this movie. You don’t see a lot of different ethnicities. We don’t talk about gender. None of that. And I feel like that really doesn’t represent our world today.

Sure, “The Breakfast Club” endures, but imagine a 2025 version where the characters spend detention debating inclusion and gender roles …

Kimmel's scream therapy

So that’s why “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” gave up on comedy.

The show’s far-left host opened up about life under Trump 2.0, revealing a mind that can’t process why voters rejected a party pushing a dementia-addled candidate.

The Rolling Stone chat pulled back the Oz-like curtain behind his ABC talk show and its true purpose.

Laughter didn’t even make the final cut. Says the not-so-funnyman:

A year ago, I would’ve said I’m hoping to show people who aren’t paying attention to the news what’s actually going on and hoping to change things that way. Obviously, that didn’t have enough impact before the election, so now I see myself more as a place to scream.

To be fair, screaming is better than crying, although Kimmel did cry post-Election Day …

Clooney's civic doody

“The Simpsons” remains a meme-lover's dream. One favorite? “Stop, he’s already dead,” a phrase uttered to ask someone to stop what they’re doing. The job is already done.

Cue George Clooney.

He’s still doing a victory lap for putting down President Joe Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign. The actor’s oh-so-public letter in the New York Times last year suggested what we all knew at that point. Biden was too mentally compromised to continue his campaign.

“Well, I don’t know if it was brave. … It was a civic duty,” the actor told “journalist” Jake Tapper, who personally helped cover up Biden’s brain fog before co-authoring a tell-all book on the subject.

The truth-to-power Clooney went on.

“When I saw people on my side of the street not telling the truth, I thought that was time,” he said.

Except he didn’t.

Clooney saw Biden’s decline up close at a June fundraiser. He waited until after the June 27 presidential debate and Biden’s crashing poll numbers to crank out that infamous op-ed.

Some civic duty.

'I don't need anyone else talking s**t': NASCAR's Frankie Muniz says he may be at 'a new low' after insane string of bad luck



Actor turned professional driver Frankie Muniz said he did not need anymore trash talk from fans and drivers following a one-in-a-million instance over the weekend.

Muniz finished 23rd at the Black's Tire 200 on Friday in the NASCAR Craftman's Truck Series, a result that could have been much worse if Muniz did not push through a remarkably rare showing of bad luck.

At the Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina, Muniz told reporters he felt his truck was "really good" and "really fast" — that was until his power-steering line burst, forcing him to start the second stage with no power steering.

"I don't know if a rock hit it or if something hit it, you know, it literally burst it. Burst the line," Muniz told reporters after the race.

Muniz showed off a gigantic blister on his hand caused by the freak incident and said pushing through the race was the hardest thing he had ever done.

"I just lost all power steering, ripped a hole in my hand, just trying to hold on to it," he said, raising his hand. "But then we started the second stage with it like that, and that was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

The race was separated into two stages, the first with 45 laps, then 90, then finished with 65 laps in the third stage.

'Maybe it's you. Like, maybe you're just not good.'

Muniz explained he did his best to stay out of the lead drivers' way while still trying to finish the race; he had received criticism the week prior over alleged unpredictability while driving near the back of the pack. Muniz received complaints from drivers Brandon Jones and Ty Majeski, but he said he was more affected by remarks from the fans.

“It's one of the first times I've gotten a ton of s**t — excuse my French — online from the fans ... my whole life I've also had people talk crap about me online — warranted or not or whatever. I'm used to letting it go. But it does affect you. I'm telling you, it affects me because we haven't had things go our way," Muniz said in an interview.

Circling back to Friday, Muniz said he was purposely being more cautious.

"I don't need anyone else talking s**t about me about being, you know, a moving chicane ... so just let them go," he added.

— (@)

On Monday, Muniz seemed worse for wear and took to his X page to say he felt worse about himself than ever.

"If I'm being 100% honest... Mentally/emotionally I may be at a new low. Just wanted to say it out loud."

Despite being so hard on himself, the 39-year-old is ranked 24th out of 45 drivers and still has around a dozen races left to prove himself.

"I got bad luck," Muniz said about the burst line. "My wife doesn't believe me anymore. You know, I love my wife, and she's super supportive, but she's like, 'Maybe it's you. Like, maybe you're just not good.' I'm like, 'I can't help that!'"

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With the FCC Scrutinizing DEI Policies, CBS Settles in Anti-White Discrimination Case

CBS Studios will settle a case brought by a script coordinator who accused the company of using illegal racial quotas to discriminate against straight white men.

The post With the FCC Scrutinizing DEI Policies, CBS Settles in Anti-White Discrimination Case appeared first on .