Trump Could Get Re-Elected. Hollywood is Already Losing It.

Hollywood is losing its collective mind over the prospect of Donald Trump securing a second term in office. And honestly, it feels like we’re watching the same reel of hysteria play out again, just with updated special effects.

According to a recent piece from Variety, the industry’s reaction ranges from alarmed to borderline apocalyptic, touching on fears about taxes, tariffs, and freedom of speech. Sound familiar? Yep, we’ve been here before.

How Trump Affected Hollywood During His First Term

During Trump’s first term, Hollywood had a very vocal response—every late-night monologue seemed to transform into an anti-Trump platform, awards shows became stages for political speeches, and numerous films and TV shows included jabs at Trump’s policies.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, many studios and creators felt compelled to use their platforms to counter what they viewed as an attack on democracy and civil rights. However, some of these efforts did not resonate with all audiences, leading to mixed receptions at the box office and accusations of “preaching” from viewers.

Were their concerns valid? On one hand, Trump’s policies on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social issues directly impacted many within the creative community.

On the other hand, Hollywood’s heavy-handed political messaging was seen by some as alienating segments of their audience, and not necessarily effective in changing minds or policies. This tension remains as Hollywood braces for the potential of another Trump term.

Trump Derangement Syndrome

Remember “Trump Derangement Syndrome”? No, it’s not a medical diagnosis, but it might as well have been, given how the media and entertainment world responded to his first term. The term itself was coined by political columnist Charles Krauthammer, who originally used a similar phrase—“Bush Derangement Syndrome”—in 2003 to describe an irrational overreaction to George W. Bush.

Later, it was adapted for Trump, with Krauthammer characterizing it as a form of “general hysteria” where critics could no longer distinguish between valid policy disagreements and a more visceral disdain for Trump himself, according to Psychology Today.

Many supporters of Trump, including Trump himself, have used the term to discredit his detractors, framing their opposition as a kind of emotional overreaction rather than reasoned critique, as noted by Wikipedia.

In fact, Psychology Today points out that “Trump Derangement Syndrome” isn’t recognized by the DSM-5 (the standard reference for mental health conditions), meaning it’s not officially considered a diagnosable disorder. Instead, it’s more of a “folk category”—a label that has gained traction in public discourse but lacks medical validation. Despite its unofficial status, the term continues to be used to describe what many see as an unhinged reaction to anything involving Trump, often implying that critics are irrational or hysterical.

Celebrity Backlash

We’ve seen recent examples of this play out publicly. Wil Wheaton recently lashed out at Zachary Levi on social media over Levi’s endorsement of Trump, calling him out in a Facebook post:

“Something I love about our nerd community is how welcoming and diverse we are. We are a safe place for everyone who has ever been Othered. We are a safe place for vulnerable people to come together and safely love all the wonderful nerdy stuff we love. With that in mind, I think it’s pretty important for anyone who supports Nerd HQ knows who and what they are supporting. What a disappointment. What a disgrace. How disgusting.”

Wheaton went on to emphasize that safe spaces cannot exist if those who make others feel unsafe are allowed to be a part of them, referencing the “Paradox of Tolerance,” according to reports from Bounding Into Comics and Bleeding Cool. It’s a classic example of how celebrities can be pressured into toeing a specific line, with any deviation sparking backlash and public shaming.

Mark Hamill, well-known for his iconic role as Luke Skywalker, has used his social media platforms to regularly criticize Trump, often combining humor with his political commentary. His tweets frequently target Trump’s statements and policies, with many going viral and garnering widespread media attention. Publications like The Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone have covered Hamill’s persistent social media activity, which has made anti-Trump commentary a significant part of his public image.

Similarly, George Takei, known for his role in Star Trek, has also made his disdain for Trump a cornerstone of his social media persona. Takei frequently ties his criticisms to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and immigration issues, highlighting how Trump’s policies negatively affect these communities. His outspoken stance has been featured in outlets like NBC News and Variety, making anti-Trump sentiment a key part of his public platform.

Mac Miller made his strong distaste for Trump known during an appearance on The Nightly Show, where he unleashed a scathing critique of Trump, calling him a “racist son of a b****” and a “psychopathic power-hungry” individual (Entertainment Weekly).

Sarah Silverman took her disdain to comedic extremes by dressing as Adolf Hitler on Conan to mock Trump, highlighting the absurdity of his statements (Rolling Stone).

Kerry Washington criticized Trump as perpetuating fear and hate, specifically noting his campaign tactics and the spin involved (Entertainment Weekly).

Robert De Niro has consistently spoken out against Trump, famously calling him “totally nuts” and unfit to hold office (HuffPost).

Will Smith criticized Trump’s derogatory comments, emphasizing how unacceptable such behavior was, especially when it was cheered on by audiences (News.com.au).

Chrissy Teigen has taken numerous swipes at Trump over the years, expressing her disdain on platforms like Twitter (Entertainment Weekly).

The Case of Gina Carano

Gina Carano has faced significant backlash for her political views, resulting in her being effectively blacklisted from major roles. Carano, who openly shared her conservative perspectives, was ousted from her role on The Mandalorian after her social media posts were deemed controversial, sparking significant backlash from both the industry and audiences, as detailed by Deadline. This kind of treatment sends a message loud and clear: fall in line or face the consequences.

Every late-night monologue became an anti-Trump sermon, awards shows turned into soapboxes, and even your favorite Netflix drama had to include some kind of thinly veiled jab at 45. Now, with the possibility of a second go-around, it’s like the Hollywood sirens are already warming up their vocal cords for a doomsday ballad.

Hollywood’s Overreaction vs. Genuine Concerns

The Problem of Creative Censorship

But let’s keep it real for a minute. While I think Hollywood tends to overreact in dramatic (and meme-worthy) ways, there’s still a conversation to be had about some genuine concerns. We’ve seen how polarization in the entertainment industry can not only skew public perception but also stifle creativity.

Under the guise of “protecting democracy,” we’ve seen calls for censorship and a cancel culture attitude that ironically chips away at the freedom of speech these creatives claim to uphold. Smaller productions and less mainstream voices are especially vulnerable to this climate, as they might lack the financial safety net or platform to weather such backlash. That’s where my worries kick in.

Case in point: During Trump’s first term, any celebrity who dared to express anything short of total disdain for the administration was quickly shamed into silence or, worse, blacklisted. The return of that atmosphere—a world where you have to tread lightly just to avoid social crucifixion—doesn’t exactly bode well for the creative arts.

Sure, Hollywood likes to talk a big game about resilience and resistance, but let’s not pretend the fear isn’t real, even among the industry’s biggest names.

Economic Concerns

Tariffs and Tax Policies Impact on Hollywood

And let’s talk economics—another sticking point in the Variety piece. Hollywood bigwigs are worried about potential tariffs and tax policies that might affect everything from film production to box office returns. But let’s be honest: while the headlines scream economic catastrophe, the studios are still going to crank out those blockbuster franchises.

If Marvel movies can survive a pandemic that shut down theaters worldwide, I think they can survive some potential changes in trade policy.

The bottom line? Hollywood’s alarm bells aren’t surprising—this is, after all, an industry that’s as much about spectacle off-screen as on. But maybe, just maybe, a bit more perspective this time around could help. Instead of succumbing to another round of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” it might be more constructive to focus on adapting, finding creative solutions, and maybe even (dare I say it?) making some good art that speaks to everyone, not just the echo chamber.

Companies Turning Away from DEI and Hollywood’s Potential Reaction

Recently, some major companies have started to scale back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives due to political pressures and changing priorities. For example, Toyota Motor Corp. announced that it would refocus its DEI efforts away from supporting LGBTQ+ events, choosing instead to focus on STEM education and workforce readiness. Similarly, companies like Ford Motor Co. and Tractor Supply Co. have been pulling back from DEI programs, citing a highly politicized environment around these initiatives.

On the flip side, a potential second Trump term could lead to Hollywood ramping up politically charged content again. During Trump’s first term, the entertainment industry often responded with more overtly political material, from late-night show monologues to storylines in television and film that offered thinly veiled critiques of his administration. If Trump were re-elected, we could expect Hollywood to double down on creating content that addresses and critiques his policies, much like they did during his previous tenure.

The withdrawal from DEI by corporations contrasts sharply with how Hollywood might react to renewed political challenges. While some companies are retreating from initiatives that support inclusivity, Hollywood could see a resurgence of politically motivated storytelling and advocacy. This divergence underscores the ongoing tension between corporate risk management and the entertainment industry’s drive to address social and political issues through its narratives.

“Explain it to Me Like I’m Five”

• Hollywood is like a kid who doesn’t want a teacher (Trump) to come back, fearing strict rules and no fun.
• Some kids (companies) are stepping back from being inclusive, while others (Hollywood) are planning to make a lot of noise.
• There’s a competition between Kamala Harris and Trump to be “class president,” with mixed feelings from everyone.
• Some fear losing creativity, others think it’s exaggerated panic. The latest polls are like everyone deciding between pizza (Harris) and tacos (Trump)—it’s close!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What do you think about Hollywood’s reaction to the possibility of a second Trump term? Are they overreacting, or are their fears justified? Drop your thoughts below or find me on social media—let’s keep this conversation rolling.

Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece and does not reflect the opinions of this site or its affiliates.

Sources:

• Variety: “Donald Trump’s Second Term: What It Could Mean for Hollywood’s Taxes, Tariffs, and Freedom of Speech” (2024) link
• Psychology Today: “The Paradox of ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome'” (2019) link
• Wikipedia: “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (2018) link