Trump Meets With Reality Star Pratt to Push Hollywood Tax Credit

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. — President Donald Trump met with reality television personality Spencer Pratt on Aug. 4 at Trump National Golf Club to discuss a 25 percent federal tax credit for the film and television industry.

Pratt, known from "The Hills," announced the meeting on Instagram and X, saying he is working "with the President on a 25% FEDERAL film tax credit to bring back Hollywood." He criticized California's political leadership, saying: "While Gavin Newsom's commissioner is actively outsourcing production jobs to Hungary, and his rogue AG is trying to destroy CA production companies, the adults in the room are actually trying to repatriate the most quintessential American industry."

Pratt singled out California Attorney General Rob Bonta's antitrust lawsuit against the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, calling it an effort to destroy production companies. The state's existing $750 million incentives program, Pratt suggested, has been ineffective.

Pratt said Trump was "very passionate about revitalizing the entertainment industry" and pledged not to let "Canada, or the UK or Budapest steal our lunch anymore."

The failed Los Angeles mayoral candidate has been a visible figure in Trump's political circle since his campaign this summer. He and his wife, Heidi Montag, lost their home in early 2025 during severe California fires.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the meeting. Pratt did not disclose specifics of the discussion beyond mentioning "several other very important topics."

Prior efforts to establish a federal film and television tax credit have stalled in Congress over the last 18 months despite bipartisan support. The path forward for Trump's proposal remains unclear.

The film and television industry has faced economic headwinds, providing the rationale for seeking federal intervention. Before his inauguration, Trump appointed Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson as special ambassadors to Hollywood, signaling his administration's focus on reviving the sector's economic health.

Pratt said Trump was "very passionate about revitalizing the entertainment industry" and pledged not to let "Canada, or the UK or Budapest steal our lunch anymore."

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the meeting. Pratt did not disclose specifics of the discussion beyond mentioning "several other very important topics."

Prior efforts to establish a federal film and television tax credit have stalled in Congress over the last 18 months despite bipartisan support. The path forward for Trump's proposal remains unclear.