In the wake of Kamala Harris’s defeat to Donald Trump in the recent presidential election, Hollywood is grappling with a stark realization: its influence on American culture and politics may not be as significant as once thought.
A prominent Hollywood talent manager revealed to Vulture that despite endorsements from some of the world’s biggest stars, Harris failed to secure victory.
“Hollywood doesn’t matter as much as it thinks it matters,” the manager noted, reflecting on the endorsements by A-listers like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and George Clooney, which did not sway voters as anticipated.
The entertainment industry is now facing a moment of introspection, with many in Hollywood acknowledging that the celebrity-driven political activism seen during Trump’s first term, often referred to as the “Trump Resistance Playbook,” is unlikely to be repeated. There’s a growing consensus that the industry had leaned too heavily into woke politics, potentially alienating a significant portion of the American audience.
In the aftermath of the election, Hollywood insiders predict a shift in strategy. With Trump’s re-election, there’s an expectation of less political sermonizing from the industry, a move away from the “woke” narrative, and possibly more media mergers as studios reassess their direction.
The departure of executives who were specifically hired to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in film and TV has already begun, signaling a possible retreat from the social justice focus that characterized much of the last decade’s content.
This election has served as a wake-up call for Hollywood, highlighting that while celebrities can command attention, their political endorsements might not translate into electoral influence. As the industry looks to the future under another Trump administration, the focus might shift towards entertainment that unites rather than divides, attempting to reclaim lost cultural relevance.
