President Donald Trump is sounding the alarm on the decline of Hollywood—and placing the blame squarely on California Governor Gavin Newsom. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump accused Newsom of failing to protect one of America’s most iconic industries from being poached by foreign governments.

“I’ve seen some very strong research over the last week, and we’re making very few movies now. Hollywood is being destroyed,” Trump declared during a press event in Washington, D.C.

He argued that international competitors are not just outproducing U.S. filmmakers but actively “stealing” the industry by luring productions overseas with financial incentives and government subsidies. Trump labeled it a “national security threat,” citing the power of media to shape public perception through messaging and propaganda.

The president pointed to the root of the problem being domestic mismanagement as well. “You have a grossly incompetent governor that allowed that to happen,” he said, directly referring to Gavin Newsom. “Other nations — a lot of them — have stolen our movie industry. If they’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States, then we should have a tariff on movies that come in.”

The remarks follow Trump’s Truth Social post on Sunday, where he laid out his plan to impose a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films brought into the United States. The post reflected his growing concern that Hollywood’s decline is not just an economic issue but a strategic one as well.

“The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” Trump wrote. “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.”

In the post, Trump claimed that the foreign poaching of American moviemaking isn’t just about economics, calling it “a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.” He continued, “It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”

As a response, Trump announced that he has directed the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin work on instituting a 100% tariff on all imported movies produced outside the country.

“WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” Trump wrote.

Trump’s push to revive domestic film production mirrors his broader economic agenda, which has focused on reshoring American jobs, tightening trade deals, and protecting cultural institutions from foreign influence.

This latest move marks a dramatic shift in federal policy toward the entertainment industry and echoes the president’s previous efforts to revitalize domestic manufacturing, farming, and energy production by cracking down on foreign competition.

Critics may balk at the proposed tariffs, arguing that global collaboration in film is common practice and beneficial for innovation. But Trump supporters see the move as a long-overdue stand for American culture, creativity, and economic independence.

Hollywood’s relationship with Democratic leadership in California, including Governor Newsom, has come under increased scrutiny as studios continue to send productions abroad to benefit from tax breaks, cheaper labor, and more flexible regulations.

Trump’s rhetoric is intended not just to shift public conversation but to trigger real economic change, using trade leverage to bring productions back home.

Whether or not the tariff plan takes full effect, it’s clear the president is staking out Hollywood as the next battlefield in his campaign to reclaim American industry. For Trump, the fight to “Make America Great Again” now includes putting Hollywood back where it started—on American soil.