Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., reportedly offered rare praise for President Donald Trump on Monday, declaring himself in “strong agreement” with his longtime political rival over a proposed federal tax incentive aimed at bringing film and television production jobs back to the United States.
The unusual show of support came after Trump urged Republicans and Democrats in Congress to move quickly on legislation establishing a nationwide production incentive for the entertainment industry.
Trump issued the call following a meeting with actor and Special Ambassador to Hollywood Jon Voight, who has advocated for a 20% federal credit. The president argued that an incentive could help reverse the movement of American entertainment jobs to Canada and other countries.
“I am going to suggest that Republicans and Democrats get together, and immediately craft Legislation to save the Movie, Television, and Entertainment Business in America,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“Congress should approve, immediately, a Federal Production Incentive to create Entertainment Jobs in America,” the president continued.
Trump painted a grim picture of the entertainment industry, declaring that “Hollywood is a Complete and Total Disaster!” He argued that film and television production had moved to other countries because companies lacked an incentive to remain in the United States.
“There is no incentive to be there, and it is hurting California very badly,” Trump wrote.
Schiff responded by sharing a screenshot of Trump’s announcement on X and calling for lawmakers in both parties to support the proposal.
“I am in strong agreement with the President,” Schiff wrote.
“Congress should immediately take up and pass a federal film tax incentive to bring back these good-paying jobs that we’ve lost to other countries,” he added. “Let’s work together – Republicans and Democrats – to get this done, and bring the movie magic back to America.”
The agreement represents a rare moment of political unity between Trump and Schiff, who have repeatedly clashed over the years.
Schiff led the first impeachment case against Trump in 2019 and has continued to serve as one of the president’s most prominent Democratic opponents. Despite that history, the California Democrat has been calling for a federal production incentive since last year.
Schiff circulated draft legislation that would provide a 15% credit for labor costs incurred in the United States. He also held a Senate hearing on the issue in March as part of his push to protect American film and television jobs.
Trump previously proposed a different approach to the problem, threatening to impose a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States.
Hollywood studios and labor unions, however, have encouraged the Trump administration to pursue tax incentives instead. Such an approach would resemble production programs already used in Canada, the United Kingdom and dozens of states across the U.S.
The emerging agreement between Trump and Schiff could provide bipartisan momentum for the proposal, with both men now calling on Congress to act immediately. Their shared goal is to encourage entertainment companies to produce more projects in America and restore jobs that have moved abroad.
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