Hollywood's unease with Kamala Harris' election loss: "No longer in control"

Some entertainment insiders expressed concern in a new report that Hollywood has no significance in the political sphere.

Several industry members spoke to Vulture about the potential impact of President Donald Trump winning re-election on the entertainment industry. Most believed that people would become more self-censoring and less capable of critiquing the current political moment, resulting in less influence overall.

"The talent manager stated that Hollywood's influence is overestimated, as Kamala Harris had the support of the world's biggest stars but it did not significantly impact the outcome. This is concerning because the people and things we admire do not shape culture as much as we believe. Despite my love for movies, they no longer hold the same power."

A multitude of prominent Hollywood figures, including Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Alec Baldwin, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Harrison Ford, publicly endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris prior to the presidential election.

Although Harris received endorsements, she lost to Trump in all seven major swing states and the popular vote, and failed to flip any county that voted for Trump in 2020.

Hollywood insiders observed the "exhaustion" among people due to the "woke is broke" mindset.

Before Trump's re-election, the shift away from "woke" was already happening, according to a blockbuster producer who spoke to Vulture.

Hollywood's leftward swing over the past few years has led to the departure of executives hired to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in film and TV.

A Hollywood production executive expressed in a report that there is a lack of interest in rhetorical storytelling, with some concern that this could negatively impact creativity.

A seasoned talent manager and producer stated that internally and among their industry peers, there is a sense of scarcity. The volume of work is significantly decreased, and everyone, from buyers to creatives, is hesitant to make bold decisions that may put them at risk.

Others expressed a direct fear of being targeted by Trump for expressing their political views.

"A consultant cautioned Vulture that Trump would likely target Disney CEO Bob Iger, as he has the power to harm Disney due to its ties with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis."

During an earnings call in November, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed optimism about the future, suggesting that Trump could ease restrictions on media acquisitions.

Zaslav stated that it could provide a chance for consolidation, resulting in a significant and quick positive impact on the industry.