Special ambassador in Hollywood: Trump chooses Stallone, Gibson and Voight

Shortly before his inauguration, US President-elect Donald Trump declared film stars Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Jon Voight, who are known to be ultra-conservative, to be his “special ambassadors” in Hollywood. “It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone as special ambassadors for a great but troubled place, Hollywood, California,” Trump wrote on his online service Truth Social on Thursday.

Trump also wrote that the three actors should work on his behalf to “make Hollywood – which has lost many contracts to other countries in the past four years – a bigger, better and stronger place than it has ever been.” .

Trump described Stallone, Gibson and Voight as his “eyes and ears” in Hollywood. He will implement “what they suggest.” Trump added: “It will be a golden age for Hollywood, as well as for the USA itself!” Hollywood has lost a lot of business to foreign countries in the past four years – during Joe Biden’s term in office. A golden age is dawning for Hollywood, Trump wrote. The Republican was not more specific.

Oscar winner Mel Gibson was surprised about his new role as Hollywood special ambassador for the future US president. “I received the tweet at the same time as all of you,” Fox News and the industry publication “Entertainment Weekly” quoted from a statement by the 69-year-old.

Nevertheless, he wanted to follow the call. “My duty as a citizen is to provide whatever help and expertise I can. Is there any chance that the position will be tied to an embassy residence?” joked Gibson, who lost his home in the devastating Los Angeles fires.

The awarders of the insulting “Golden Raspberry” award – also known as “Razzies” in English – also spoke up on the X platform after Trump’s post: “The classic. A bunch of Razzie winners want to save Hollywood!”, it said the post.

All three actors have already been awarded the insult award. Just last year, Voight won the Worst Actor award for his performance in the action flick Mercy.

The 78-year-old “Rambo” and “Rocky” actor Stallone, the 69-year-old actor and director Gibson and the 86-year-old Voight, who became known for the classic “Asphalt Cowboy”, are largely isolated in Hollywood because of their political stance: A number of Hollywood big names and other stars, such as actor George Clooney and pop superstar Taylor Swift, supported Trump’s rival Kamala Harris from the Democrats in the 2024 election campaign.

In his election campaign, Trump, on the other hand, relied on the support of right-wing influencers and podcasters – and largely ignored the US film industry.