Ever since President Donald Trump declared his intention to implement a 100% tax on films produced beyond US borders, there’s been an urgent flurry of activity among film studio bosses and Democratic legislators as they search for strategies to prevent this decision.
But California’s top prosecutor has a novel approach — and he may be willing to act on it.
[The president] is taking aim at the well-respected California industry we take great pride in, mainly because it’s located in a Democratic state that appears unsupportive of him,” Bonta explained to The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday night. He further stated that attacking a segment of the population could translate to “a legal basis for action” under the First Amendment.
In essence, Bonta argues that Trump seems to be imposing financial consequences on individuals for expressing opinions he disagrees with, whether through films, TV shows promoting progressive causes or fundraisers with similar viewpoints. This, according to him, infringes upon the First Amendment rights of these individuals to freely express their views.
Bonta mentioned his team is currently investigating potential legal strategies based on the given circumstances. “We are committed to safeguarding our state and its residents, including those in Hollywood, and will conduct a thorough examination,” he stated.
So far, prominent California lawmakers have not proposed using courts to challenge Trump’s Hollywood tariffs. Instead, they’ve suggested steering the president towards offering a federal tax credit for U.S. productions as an alternative to imposing tariffs. According to Senator Adam Schiff, such a tax credit could bring back American jobs in the industry while potential negative consequences might arise from tariffs on all films. He made these comments to THR.
California politicians have opted to file a lawsuit against President Trump, aiming to halt tariffs imposed on various products. This tactic is not unprecedented for them. Last month, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta announced this legal action due to the detrimental effects of these tariffs on the economy, causing “devastating impacts” and “market chaos.” The bulk of their complaint revolves around procedural concerns.
A significant portion of the entertainment sector has either remained quiet or criticized the tariffs, leaving the Teamsters Union as one of the few groups openly supporting them.
It’s uncertain if an argument based on the First Amendment could successfully challenge Hollywood taxes in court, as some influential figures in Hollywood have expressed reservations about speaking up publicly due to concerns over potential financial repercussions.
Recently, Bonta has been occupied with various actions aimed at countering Trump’s policies. This week alone, he took legal action against the administration over the halt of windfarm projects and widespread federal dismissals, which adds to the more than a dozen lawsuits his office has previously filed against the president. Furthermore, he expressed to THR that the significant reductions in funding for the NEA and NEH are a major concern for him.
It appears that the Trump administration is on a destructive crusade, targeting key safeguards and foundations of our democracy. This includes our media, lawyers, and those who champion free speech. The right to express oneself freely is something we value greatly and it’s protected by our constitution. We will be examining these cuts to the arts and platforms for free expression to ensure they are legal.
Bonta stated that the executive branch doesn’t possess the authority over funding. Instead, it’s expected to carry out what Congress determines to finance, and if it disagrees, this stance may not hold up well in a legal setting.
On Thursday evening, Bonta convened with Democratic attorneys general from New Jersey, Illinois, and Minnesota at a town hall meeting in Westchester County, NY, which was organized by New York attorney general Letitia James. This event served as a crucial part of the legal battle against various actions taken by the White House, in which James is also an integral player.
The assembly carried an energetic atmosphere similar to a rally, with each Association Head taking turns to receive applause from diverse groups such as labor unions, veterans, and educators. “I’m excited,” Thomas Hart, the president of IUOE Local 94, expressed to the Association Heads.
Occasionally, matters concerning entertainment became prominent, such as when Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison pointed out Donald Trump’s attempts to challenge PBS and NPR.
As a gamer, I might rephrase it like this: “I guess what he’s attempting is to take down public broadcasting, NPR, and Big Bird. However, he wouldn’t make much progress if he followed the rules. So, I suspect he’s choosing an unlawful route instead.
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2025-05-10 01:24