Stallone Surprised by Trump Appointment as Hollywood Ambassador

1 week ago 0

Sylvester Stallone recently shared how surprised he was when President Donald Trump announced his appointment as a special ambassador to Hollywood, alongside Mel Gibson and Jon Voight. Trump revealed these appointments days before his second inauguration in January 2025 on his platform, Truth Social.

In a post, Trump stated that Stallone, Gibson, and Voight would serve as ‘Special Envoys’ to help revitalize film and TV production in the U.S. During an interview with The Sunday Times, Stallone, known for his role as ‘Rocky,’ said he discovered the appointment while watching television.

“I was watching TV one night, and they go, ‘So Stallone and Mel Gibson and Jon Voight will be …’ And I went, ‘What?’” Stallone recalled.

Stallone expressed initial hesitation, believing the role was not feasible. He felt that Hollywood operated like separate ‘feudal states’ and that influencing studios would be challenging.

Despite his reservations, Stallone maintained a cordial relationship with Trump. At a post-election gala at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, Stallone praised Trump, comparing him to figures of historical significance.

Stallone was later named a 2025 Kennedy Center honoree by Trump. While Stallone has supported Republicans like John McCain, he has also contributed financially to various Democratic campaigns, including those of Joe Biden.

Conversely, Jon Voight, a staunch Trump supporter, actively embraced his ambassadorial role. He lobbied for policies to boost U.S. film and TV production, including federal tax incentives. Voight’s efforts align with Trump’s call for legislative action to ‘save’ Hollywood from losing business overseas.

Voight’s initiatives gained support from politicians like Senator Adam Schiff and Representative Laura Friedman. Trump reinforced Voight’s efforts, advocating for production incentives through Truth Social posts.