Donald Trump hits hard in his reconquest of Hollywood. The future American president has just named three cinema heavyweights – Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Jon Voight – as his “ambassadors” in the cinema industry. A controversial decision which aims to “restore the golden age” of a predominantly Democratic industry…
Three Hollywood veterans with controversial backgrounds
Donald Trump created a surprise by announcing on his Truth Social network the appointment of three emblematic figures of American cinema as his “special ambassadors” in Hollywood. “I am honored to announce that Jon Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone will be special ambassadors to this important, but very turbulent, location of Hollywood, California“, declared the future president.
The three actors, who have ten Oscar nominations and three statuettes, each bring their share of controversies. Sylvester Stallone, 78, who considers Trump to be the “second George Washington“, faced accusations of sexual assault in the 1980s, all denied. Jon Voight, 86, father of Angelina Jolie, was accused by actor Frank Whaley of slapping him on set. As for Mel Gibson, 69, his career has been marred by accusations of anti-Semitism, racism and domestic violence.
A mission to “restore greatness” to the film industry
The Republican billionaire entrusts them with a clear mission: to be his “eyes and ears” in a predominantly Democratic industry. “They will serve as my special emissaries with the goal of making Hollywood – which has lost a lot in four years to foreign countries – a BIGGER, BETTER AND STRONGER THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN a place! “, he insisted.
-Jon Voight, decorated with the National Medal of Arts during the first Trump term, sees this mission as an opportunity. “I’m old enough to have seen a few years of Hollywood’s golden age and have watched its slow deterioration ever since. Today we are in pretty bad shape.”he said.
A nomination that divides Hollywood
Mel Gibson, surprised by his appointment, nevertheless accepted what he considers to be a “citizen’s duty”. “I received the tweet at the same time as you and was just as surprised” he told Entertainment Weekly. “But I answer the call: it is my duty as a citizen to provide all the help and insight I can.”
This decision risks widening the gap with the many stars opposed to Trump, such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen and George Clooney, who all supported Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris during the presidential election.
