Why Is Hollywood Suddenly Silent About Trump? (Steven Zeitchik, Hollywood Reporter)

[pstokely]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/hollywood-silence-trump-1236098171/

Such a reception metaphorizes current Hollywood. After deploying every weapon to stop Trump from regaining the White House — letting loose every Beyoncé performance, George Clooney op-ed and Taylor Swift endorsement — the industry has pretty much gone Harold Lloyd-silent since he won.

Yes, Mark Hamill has said that “we get the leaders we deserve,” and indeed, Billie Eilish noted Trump wages “a war on women.” But most contemporary stars haven’t made a sound since Nov. 5. No Jennifer Lawrence “Do not let this defeat you — let this enrage you!” as after the 2016 election, no Robert De Niro commentary (“a real racist”) as he was fond of making last time. Back then, Steve Levitan derided “Trump’s lies,” and Barry Jenkins swore at Trump and his immigration policy from the National Board of Review stage.

Awards season is celebrities’ access lane to politics. Yet at the starting gate of an eight-week sprint, no frenzy awaits at the turn.

[DeepWinter]

1. Entitled elite multi-millionairs

seeking spotlight moments to further their career. They just move on to the next outrage that may have a paycheck.

[FSogol]

2. Why do we expect Hollywood to fight our battles?

I would also submit that Beyonce and Taylor Swift are not Hollywood. What the writer is asking is for celebrities to fight our battles.

[Beringia]

3. Yes, they should get with the program and dump the Maga lovers overboard

[jmowreader]

4. Fear

The entertainment industry knows how many Trump voters there are. They also know how much control he has over them. If Hollywood says anything about Trump that he doesn't like, one social media post from Trump will cause them to refuse to see their new movie, buy their new record or buy products they endorse.

[KS Toronado]

8. Enjoy your stay

[chia]

7. Fear is how people allow themselves to be controlled.

[bdamomma]

17. Lesson one of Timothy Synder's On Tyranny

1. Do not obey in advance. Much of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then start to do it without being asked. You’ve already done this, haven’t you? Stop. Anticipatory obedience teaches authorities what is possible and accelerates unfreedom.

[chia]

19. I have that book in my nightstand. Time for a reread.

[Tickle]

6. Boycotts work

At least for them. Maybe?

[Jit423]

9. Money, fear...their livelihood and public status. They do not believe in their own strength and potential impact.

What is happening in Hollywood is also a reflection of what is happening all over the world. Case to the point:

I call BS on the Morning Joe show this morning ( which I watched because of the J6 date). Their guest who presented the top 10 trouble issues for 2025 (please watch it on the stream because I was listening from the background and missed specifics) to me presented a list that is the RW oligarch's wet dream around the world. I call it BS because it appears to be a list of things that the Trump-Musketeers want to be absolutely true with not holds barred or repercussions for themselves. OTHER PEOPLE BE DAMNED!

To me, this was a "wish" list that reflects more of what the big fascist Os want it to be than the what is or maybe true. ("Os" = fascists oligarchs). For example, they really want the US to be an AI- weakened giant in a world where Trump is seen as the most powerful person in the world because the Os know he can be controlled by Elon Musk. They want there to be no resistance whatsoever, against Israel being the owner and ruler of the ME with no real opposition. They want the Brits to back out of the EU. They want any and all opposition voices against their hegemony to be fearful and silenced. They want no law and order except their own fascism. And they seem well on their way to getting exactly what the PNAC called for years ago.

Giving permission in advance to selfish, hateful people, placing more value on wealth, things, and power than on preventing misery and suffering of human life is what has gotten us here. Recognizing this and unifying resistance to these tragic forces is what can stop it. But where are those among us brave enough, wise enough, and who care enough to lead the way?

In the end, I guess there is something to applaud about willful ignorance and indifference. It keeps the brain and soul pain away.

[EYESORE 9001]

10. Is Hollywood biding its time

for the inevitable disaster flicks to be made after cap’n chaos and his goons begin their reign of terror?

[ThePartyThatListens]

11. Probably a bit butt sore

If they are, indeed, silent on Trump and MAGATs it's because they're currently embarrassed by what happened in November.

They went "all in" on Kamala during the campaign and Trump won decisively.

They'll be back once MAGATs kick in to gear.

Everyone will snap out of it once it happens.

[JI7]

12. I think in some ways it's better not to say anything

The right wing gets off on going after Hollywood and playing the whole thing about how it's elitist Hollywood against "regular" people like them.

They are where most of us are. People actually voted for this shit so what are we supposed to do ?

I think it's better for Hollywood to send a message through films.

[Boomerproud]

13. The constant backlash isn't worth it.

Obviously their warnings were not headed. Sad.

[NameAlreadyTaken]

14. George Carlin once noted

that Hollywood is ultimately only concerned with making money, "and that's the most conservative thing there is."

[ZonkerHarris]

16. I work in Hollywood and this is true. Don't count on them.

[xmas74]

15. Do you think they aren't just as burned out

As the public? I'm sure some are. It's been absolutely exhausting and fame doesn't make any of it less so.

It's awards season now. Some will slowly start to say things during events but it shouldn't be expected.

[Shrek]

18. I think a bunch of them moved to Canada n/t