California Governor Gavin Newsom didn’t mince words when responding to Donald Trump’s latest economic fantasy—slapping tariffs on foreign-made movies. With just five words, Newsom skewered the proposal: “Pay More and Enjoy Nothing.”
The governor warned that Trump’s so-called “America First” policies are really just a backdoor tax hike on working families. “You’re already paying more for eggs, coffee, toys, shoes, electricity, furniture, cars, and flights,” Newsom posted. “Now, Trump wants to raise taxes to see the movies.”
Trump’s announcement came in the form of a Truth Social rant, where he accused California of letting the film industry be “stolen” by foreign countries. He then promised a 100% tariff on all foreign-made movies—a move that experts say makes no economic sense and could cripple Hollywood instead of saving it.
This isn’t Trump’s first brush with reckless economic theatrics. Back in May, he floated a similar idea, which immediately rattled markets and sent the stock prices of major studios and streaming services tumbling. The threat alone caused damage—and now, he’s doubling down.
Newsom, in contrast, has pushed for pragmatic solutions such as expanding California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program to keep jobs and production at home. Trump, however, continues to lean on empty slogans and economic gimmicks that sound tough but punish ordinary Americans.
The irony is striking: Trump calls himself a champion of business, yet his trade-war approach consistently undermines U.S. industries. Hollywood productions often go abroad because of lower labor costs and competitive tax incentives—not because of some foreign conspiracy to rob America, as Trump insists. His tariffs won’t solve that problem; they’ll only drive up prices for consumers and stifle global collaboration in an industry that thrives on it.
Even worse, it’s not clear how tariffs on intellectual property like movies would even work. Unlike physical goods, films are distributed digitally and through licensing deals—raising questions about whether Trump’s plan is little more than political theater.
Meanwhile, polls show that Americans already feel the economy is “uncertain” and “struggling.” Trump’s reckless trade policies risk making that uncertainty worse, not better. While prices on certain items like eggs and gas have cooled, overall grocery and energy costs remain high. Adding tariffs on entertainment would be yet another burden for families already stretched thin.
Trump’s America is becoming clearer by the day: pay more, get less, and call it a “victory.” Newsom was right to call it what it is—an economic sham dressed up as nationalism.
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