The cultural landscape in Hollywood has drastically shifted in recent years, and many within the industry now find themselves caught between conflicting ideologies, cultural pressures, and the growing dominance of right-wing influence. As the political climate becomes increasingly polarized, even Hollywood’s liberal establishment struggles to adapt to this seismic change.
The latest chapter in this transformation was highlighted in a piece by Richard Rushfield, editor of The Ankler newsletter, who expressed dismay over Hollywood’s loss of influence. “We are not part of the ruling coalition here. We do not speak from a place of dictating to America how things are going to be or demanding they follow our lead – or else,” Rushfield lamented. This observation reflects a broader cultural shift that many are struggling to come to terms with. Once a bulwark of liberal ideals, Hollywood now faces an environment where its once unshakable sense of moral authority is increasingly challenged, both from within and without.
A prime example of Hollywood’s fractured response to the political shift came with Selena Gomez’s Instagram post about the plight of immigrants under Trump. While attempting to express empathy, Gomez was met with intense backlash, eventually leading her to delete the post and comment that it was “apparently not OK to show empathy.” This incident encapsulates the growing tensions within the liberal heart of Hollywood, where expressing political views is becoming a minefield in an increasingly divided society.
For years, Hollywood believed it could win elections with its star power, notably during the 2020 election, where celebrities like George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Billie Eilish, and Barbra Streisand threw their support behind Kamala Harris. Hollywood’s progressive ideals, however, faced an unexpected counterweight in the form of popular right-wing voices, particularly from influencers like Joe Rogan and Theo Von. Their growing cultural sway among younger, urban audiences has left Hollywood elites scrambling to realign their messaging, all while increasingly struggling to maintain relevance.
The rise of conservative figures within Hollywood signals a new reality for the industry, one where the allure of “woke” progressivism is beginning to wane. Films like The Last Jedi, Eternals, and The Marvels were met with loud complaints about “forced diversity,” echoing a sense of alienation among certain parts of the audience. Hollywood, once a bastion of progressive ideals, now faces the uncomfortable truth that its cultural dominance is slipping, with even previously staunch liberals questioning the principles that once defined the industry.
As the power dynamic in Hollywood continues to shift, Trump’s influence looms large. The new cultural zeitgeist emerging from this political upheaval has seen more high-profile figures shift their allegiances, even to the point of openly aligning with the Trump camp. Snoop Dogg, for example, performed at the Trump inauguration, an unlikely turn for a celebrity previously associated with left-wing politics. Similarly, Kim Kardashian has navigated between both sides, engaging with Kamala Harris in 2024 and Melania Trump the following year. This seesawing between political camps highlights the increasingly transactional nature of celebrity politics, as Hollywood grapples with its changing audience.
The increasing influence of tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Larry Ellison, who have become key figures in Trump’s world, is another factor that complicates Hollywood’s progressive stance. Silicon Valley’s growing dominance over industries like entertainment, dating, and social media means that Hollywood’s traditional power structures are being disrupted by new players. With Netflix, Amazon, and Apple moving aggressively into the entertainment space, Hollywood is no longer the sole gatekeeper of popular culture. This shift has left Hollywood’s future in question, as the once-vibrant industry finds itself at the mercy of tech moguls and changing public tastes.
The battle over Hollywood’s identity is not just about politics but also about money. The entertainment industry’s reliance on box office revenue and audience appeal often forces it to make difficult compromises. As companies like Disney retreat from their more progressive stances to cater to broader audiences, they are forced to balance moral convictions with the harsh realities of financial survival. Disney’s recent pivot, distancing itself from the “woke” label, is a clear reflection of how Hollywood’s once unwavering stance on progressive ideals is now being reassessed in the face of mounting pressure from an increasingly divided cultural and political landscape.
In this new reality, Hollywood’s relationship with the broader world has shifted. Once a cultural powerhouse capable of dictating narratives to the public, it now faces competition from a growing, more vocal conservative movement. Figures like Joe Rogan and other online influencers are now seen as powerful cultural forces, more so than traditional Hollywood stars. With Trump’s influence extending beyond politics and into the fabric of American entertainment and culture, Hollywood finds itself grappling with the question: Can it continue to maintain its relevance in this changing world, or is its reign over American pop culture officially over?
The reality is that the lines between art, entertainment, and politics have blurred. And in this new era, the question of who controls the narrative and whose values dominate the public sphere will determine the future of Hollywood and beyond. In this world, the once cherished idea of democracy as a force for moral good is increasingly viewed as a failed joke, where power shifts in unpredictable ways, and cultural influence has become a fleeting commodity. The world that Ai Weiwei’s art critiques—a world shaped by authoritarianism, technological control, and the manipulation of truth—appears to have come to fruition, not only in China but in the very heart of American culture, in Hollywood itself.
