Trump Names Gibson, Stallone, Voight as Hollywood Ambassadors

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that actors Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight will serve as his “Special Ambassadors” to Hollywood, tasked with revitalizing the struggling film industry. The trio, described as Trump’s “eyes and ears” in the entertainment capital, will aim to bring Hollywood “back — bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump framed the initiative as a response to declining U.S. film and television production, which has faced setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, and recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. According to ProdPro, overall U.S. production dropped 26% from 2021 levels, while FilmLA reported a 5.6% decline in the greater L.A. area in 2023, the lowest since 2020.

Gibson, one of the newly appointed ambassadors, told CBS News he was surprised by the announcement. “I got the tweet at the same time as all of you and was just as surprised,” he said. “Nevertheless, I heed the call. My duty as a citizen is to give any help and insight I can.” Gibson, whose Malibu home was destroyed in the Palisades fire, quipped, “Any chance the position comes with an Ambassador’s residence?”

Stallone, a frequent guest at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, introduced the president-elect at a gala in November, comparing him to George Washington. “We got the second George Washington. Congratulations!” Stallone told the crowd. Voight, a longtime Trump supporter, has previously called him the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln.

The announcement reflects Trump’s nostalgic focus on the 1980s and ’90s, when he was a rising tabloid star and Gibson and Stallone dominated the box office. However, the trio’s roles remain unclear. Trump stated they would serve as “Special Envoys” to bring Hollywood business back from foreign countries, but specifics on their duties were not provided.

Gibson’s appointment is particularly notable given his controversial past. In 2006, he faced backlash for an antisemitic rant during a DUI arrest. Despite this, he has continued to work in Hollywood, directing the upcoming thriller “Flight Risk” and planning a sequel to his 2004 hit “The Passion of the Christ.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently expanded the state’s Film & Television Tax Credit program to $750 million annually, up from $330 million, in an effort to compete with other cities like Atlanta and New York. Whether Trump’s ambassadors can complement these efforts remains to be seen.