Hollywood, the heart of American cinema, has long been a symbol of global cultural influence. On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump appointed three of the industry’s biggest stars—Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson—to prominent roles in his incoming administration. Rather than heading to the big screen, these stars are taking on a new mission: serving as Special Ambassadors for Hollywood, California.
Announcing the appointments on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that Voight, Gibson, and Stallone would act as his “eyes and ears” in the entertainment capital, with the goal of revitalizing an industry he believes has been losing business to foreign markets. “It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California,” Trump posted Thursday morning. “They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
Voight, an outspoken Trump supporter and Academy Award-winning actor, is well-versed in politics. He campaigned for Trump in both 2016 and 2020 and regularly uses his platform to promote conservative values. Although less overtly political, Stallone has maintained a connection to Trump over the years, notably posing with him in the Oval Office. He has attended events at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and was once rumored to be considered for a role in Trump’s administration as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, though Stallone later declined the offer.
Gibson, renowned for directing films such as The Passion of the Christ, has frequently expressed admiration for American exceptionalism in his work. Recently, his Malibu home of nearly 15 years was destroyed in the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County. There has never been an official position like “Special Ambassador to Hollywood” within the U.S. government or any formal political institution. Appointing individuals to represent or oversee Hollywood as a distinct cultural or economic entity is a completely unprecedented move.
