Hollywood is subtly adapting to the new Trump era.
As major entertainment firms decrease their corporate DEI initiatives, industry insiders and their representatives have noted a tangible decline in liberal themes within programming.
While no formal orders are being given, the change is evident in nuanced ways, as reported by 10 writers, producers, and talent representatives who shared insights with Business Insider. This has appeared in studio executives asking producers to adjust storylines and characters—or even scrapping them entirely—and companies retreating from previous goals to ensure diverse casts.
Zoe Marshall, a writer for film and TV with credits like CBS’s “Elsbeth,” mentioned that producers and studios had directly informed her that specific storylines—particularly those featuring queer and social justice themes—were no longer permitted.
“Throughout my career, I’ve never felt the need to consider the administration’s situation when thinking about the content on screen,” she remarked. Marshall, along with several others interviewed, chose not to reveal names of associates or studios to safeguard their employment opportunities.
Previously, an entertainment lawyer told BI that some financiers were looking into filmmakers’ political stances before making investment decisions. They mentioned that several clients received notes from streaming services or networks aimed at avoiding conflict with Trump or his supporters. One note suggested avoiding a portrayal of a prominent trans character that seemed overly positive.
“I’ve never witnessed a president impacting decision-making to this extent,” the lawyer said.
While independent films generally enjoy more creative freedom as they are funded outside typical studios and institutions, there’s also a sense of apprehension in the indie sphere.
Jonathan Handel, an entertainment attorney, noted that a documentary about trans issues faced delays because its subjects felt “terrified” of possible backlash.
“There’s more transphobia in the air than there was three months ago,” he indicated.
Another entertainment lawyer, Harry Finkel, observed that some studios known for their efforts to highlight minority groups are now signaling a shift towards avoiding offense to the right.
“There’s a recurring comment suggesting they want productions with broader appeal,” he noted.
One producer revealed that a significant studio asked them to be race-blind in casting, which marked a stark change from a couple of years ago when diverse casting was prioritized.
This move to the right has caused distress among advocates for increased screen diversity.
However, some creators feel an increased sense of creative freedom.
Agents reported that creators are seizing opportunities to propose jokes and other content that may resonate with right-leaning audiences. Talent like Shane Gillis, who resurfaced on Netflix last year after being let go from “Saturday Night Live” in 2019 due to racist remarks, is now in high demand.
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Hollywood is self-correcting
Insiders within the industry perceive a distinct contrast between now and Trump 1.0.
Back then, entertainment executives united in their vocal dissent against the president’s policies. Disney CEO Bob Iger described Trump’s reversal of the Dreamers program as “cruel and misguided” and departed from a presidential panel in protest of the White House’s exit from the Paris climate agreement. Even Fox’s James Murdoch publicly critiqued the president. On screen, shows like CBS’s “The Good Fight” and NBC’s “Will & Grace” reboot tackled Trump and addressed pressing political issues. CBS established goals for diverse casting in its televised offerings.
During his second term, Trump reignited grievances against TV networks, questioned public media funding, and restricted certain news outlets from covering events. Studios, mirroring many in corporate America, are revamping their DEI initiatives. TV networks affiliated with media and entertainment conglomerates find themselves on edge.
In March, Amazon announced its plans to reintroduce the Trump-hosted reality show “The Apprentice” to Prime Video while also financing a documentary about Melania Trump that she will executive produce.
Hollywood was already trending conservatively even before Trump’s election to a second term. After long catering to coastal audiences, studios and streaming services have begun embracing faith-based, conservative, and family-oriented entertainment.
Disney, frequently ensnared in cultural conflicts, had already started to limit political messaging in its content prior to Trump. Both Netflix and Amazon have secured deals for faith-based programming in 2024.
The motivations behind the programming shift are both economic and politically pragmatic. Studios and streaming services are being cautious with their entertainment investments as the cable industry declines and some streaming platforms struggle to achieve profitability. They are searching for safe bets and audience segments with potential. Productions that are faith-based and family-oriented can be produced at a relatively low cost, without relying on high-profile stars, and can have global appeal.
“I believe the correction is moving towards broader themes that are less niche,” one agent noted. “Productions that won’t immediately alienate half the country in either direction.”
