Five Ways the Donald Trump-Elon Musk Fight Could Impact Hollywood

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OK, so the Donald Trump–Elon Musk feud pretty much IS Hollywood.

If you were to propose a script featuring the world’s strongest and wealthiest individuals engaging in a full-blown conflict over the future of our planet, your idea would either be immediately approved (or dismissed as too far-fetched). The level of excitement it generates is unprecedented.

However, this dispute also carries significant implications for the film industry, specifically Hollywood. To clarify, let me list down five possible effects of such a heated conflict on companies, professionals, and artists in this town:

1. Financial losses due to production delays or cancellations.
2. Damage to professional relationships between executives and creators.
3. Negative publicity that could affect the industry’s reputation.
4. Potential brain drain as talented individuals may choose to work elsewhere.
5. Legal fees and potential lawsuits, leading to further financial strain.

1. Align MAGA Against YouTube and Other Entertainment-related Tech Companies

For the past seven months, Trump has generally been amicable towards Silicon Valley corporations that manage our content and entertainment, drawing many Republicans over or silencing them. However, this friendliness might be shifting due to the growing vocalness of senator Josh Hawley and others who are questioning YouTube’s AI training, social platforms, and content policies. With the friendly Big Tech voice in his ear now absent, Trump could potentially develop a new motivation to confront Big Tech, aiming to control companies such as Amazon and Netflix, along with universities, law firms, legacy media, and other entities he has previously targeted.

2. Cut Down FCC Chair Brendan Carr

One of the major issues causing discomfort for network news corporations and other large content providers is Carr, who has been pushing for disciplinary action against companies like Comcast, Disney, and others – and in the process, delaying the Paramount-Skydance merger. Interestingly, Carr is a strong supporter of Musk; he’s visited SpaceX headquarters in Texas, taken selfies with him, and defended him in various situations, such as advocating for him when FCC colleagues refused to provide substantial funds for Starlink in rural broadband subsidies several years ago. Now that his political leader (officially, Congress) has had a falling out with Musk, Carr may find it challenging to navigate this new situation and could potentially lose some influence without his influential ally. This might bring some temporary relief to Bob Iger and Shari Redstone.

3. Give Hollywood Liberals a New Ally (Maybe)

It appears that some Democrats are considering a change in their perception of Elon Musk, potentially seeing him as an ally rather than an adversary. For example, Politico suggests this shift in perspective, while Semafor reports on a Democratic congressman actively courting Musk to support his party during the midterm elections.

Despite the common adversary shared with Musk, many Democrats continue to harbor resentment towards him; the principle of “the enemy of my enemy” has its limits. Many Democrats share sentiments similar to those expressed by Tim Walz, who remarked, “How wonderful that Elon Musk is causing trouble,” although not all are willing to vocalize it openly.

However, Congressman Ro Khanna, a progressive from Northern California where Tesla’s assembly plant is located, suggests Musk should adopt more of California’s values. “Ultimately, we should aim to persuade him that the Democratic Party shares many values he identifies with,” Khanna told Semafor. This includes support for scientific research, clean technology, and welcoming international students like himself.

Over the past year, Musk’s actions don’t hint at this being plausible in the slightest – and it’s worth noting that he depends heavily on contracts from Trump’s administration. Moreover, as we approach midterm elections, it seems more likely that he would challenge candidates aligned with Trump, especially from the conservative side.

However, the individual who previously claimed that the entertainment industry was secretly supporting Diddy now socializes with Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, and other key figures within Hollywood’s fundraising network would undeniably make for a very ironic ghost, given his past accusations.

4. Let Entertainment People Keep Their Teslas

The entertainment industry in Hollywood, known for its fondness for cars and tales of revenge, has become a breeding ground for the Tesla Takedown movement. Initiated by Alex Winter from the movie “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”, other celebrities like Sheryl Crow, Jason Bateman, and more have followed suit by abandoning their high-end electric vehicles. Although Elon Musk may not be seen as a hero to Hollywood liberals, his distancing from government, defanging of DOGE, and growing rivalry with Trump could make owning that Model X Plaid less problematic. Ari could confidently drive his Cybertruck without any embarrassment.

5. Push Trump to Slow Down Content-Gobbling AI Companies

Trump is set to reveal his plans regarding AI regulations in July, a move that he hasn’t shown much enthusiasm for so far. Interestingly, the current budget bill, which is also at the heart of the Musk controversy, includes a significant provision preventing states from regulating AI for a period of ten years – a clear advantage for Sam Altman, Google, and other Silicon Valley AI lobbies. However, there are indications that this could be delayed. Surprisingly, Marjorie Taylor Greene is spearheading the resistance, advocating for states’ rights. Recently, the Senate has weakened this provision, transforming it from a complete ban on state regulation to the withdrawal of broadband subsidies if they do regulate.

It’s plausible that Trump, embroiled in a bitter rivalry with Musk, could take action to relax regulations regarding AI model Grok. However, it’s also important to consider that Musk is engaged in another heated conflict with Altman, who advocates for minimal regulation. This could potentially lead Trump to align more closely with Altman and become even more resistant to AI regulation, allowing these models to have free rein in areas like music and film. Just like the actions of Musk and Trump, this situation is both captivating and reminiscent of a Hollywood drama.

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2025-06-07 04:24