Mel Gibson is “surprised” that President-elect Donald Trump named him a “special ambassador” to Hollywood. The Braveheart star told Variety on Thursday that he was ready to serve under Trump.
“I got the tweet at the same time as all of you and was just as surprised. Nevertheless, I heed the call. My duty as a citizen is to give any help and insight I can,” Gibson said in a statement on Friday (Jan. 17, 2025).
“Any chance the position comes with an Ambassador’s residence?” Gibson joked.
Trump took to conservative social platform Truth Social to name Gibson a “special ambassador” to Hollywood alongside fellow conservative actors Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone.
“It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone, to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California,” Trump wrote Thursday. “They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
He continued: “These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!”
Voight opened up about the appointment in a statement on Friday (Jan. 17, 2025).
“I’m old enough to have experienced the Golden Age of Hollywood firsthand, and I’ve witnessed its gradual decline over the years. Currently, we’re facing significant challenges,” the “Midnight Cowboy” star said. “While film production here has diminished considerably, we’re fortunate to have an incoming President who envisions restoring Hollywood to its former grandeur, and with his support, I believe we can achieve this goal.
He added: “Now we have been through these horrible fires and our spirits are down, but we are resilient. We will help each other and we will rebuild. Love to everyone across the nation who has come to our aid.”
The American entertainment industry has encountered numerous challenges in recent years, including disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged industry strikes, and economic instability. The specific duties and authority levels associated with these ambassador positions remain undefined at this time.
In a video captured by TMZ in October, Gibson indicated his support for Trump’s 2024 campaign, responding that it was a “pretty good guess” when questioned about backing the Republican nominee.
“I know what it will be like if we let her in … and that ain’t good,” Gibson remarked, referring to Trump’s opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
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