Trump's Return: Hollywood in a State of Shock

When Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Hollywood was taken aback. Industry insiders quickly realized that Trump's return to power could mean big changes for business. Some, like John Malone and David Zaslav, saw potential for mergers and acquisitions. But there were concerns too. Trump's history of targeting critics, like Jeff Bezos and Disney, had everyone wondering who would be next. Dana Walden and Bob Iger were on the radar, with Walden's ties to Kamala Harris and Iger's criticism of Trump putting them in the spotlight. With Trump back in the White House, Hollywood is bracing for a wave of self-censorship. Stars and execs are worried about speaking out, fearing backlash from Trump supporters. Even movies and shows are being altered to avoid political controversy. For example, Marvel's "Captain America: Brave New World" had to reshoot scenes to avoid any Trump-like comparisons. Some stars, like Rachel Zegler, learned the hard way about speaking out against Trump. Her Instagram post led to calls for boycotts of her upcoming movie. This has made many celebrities think twice before sharing their political views. There's also speculation about whether some celebrities, like Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg, might come out as Trump supporters. But it's too early to tell. Overall, Hollywood is in survival mode. The pandemic, strikes, and now Trump's return have left the industry shaken. Everyone is focusing on staying afloat, not making bold creative moves.

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