The elite claim they are protecting California's 'economic prestige' and jobs, but critics call it a naked power play by moguls who want to keep their billions while workers lose healthcare.
Insiders say Hollywood’s silence wasn't accidental—it was survival. While Cheyenne Jackson screamed for help, moguls like Spielberg quietly relocated or stayed mute to avoid the taxman’s eye.
Steven Spielberg moved to NY. Newsom endorsed the anti-tax Prop 42. $350M spent by opponents vs. silence from the star-studded 'yes' camp. Workers need $28k/quarter for insurance.
When the chips were down, the A-listers didn't just stay silent—they turned their backs. The defeat of the billionaire tax is a masterclass in elite self-preservation at the expense of the crew.
Wake up, Hollywood. The town that loves its own image just pulled a massive betrayal on its workforce. As California’s proposed billionaire tax heads for a humiliating defeat, the question isn't just about policy—it's about character.
With the 'no' vote leading by nearly 13 points, the industry’s elite have effectively chosen their bank accounts over the health insurance of the grips, editors, and production assistants who make their movies possible. The silence from the A-listers is deafening, and the tea is scalding hot. Let’s talk about the receipts.
Steven Spielberg, one of the few directors who could’ve been hit with the 5% levy due to his massive intellectual property portfolio, quietly moved from California to New York earlier this year. Was it a creative choice? Or was it tax dodging?
Sources say the speculation was rampant, but Spielberg’s camp offered zero comment, letting the rumors swirl while he likely saved a fortune. He wasn't alone in the 'silent treatment.' George Lucas, David Geffen, and Oprah Winfrey—all potential targets—said nothing, watching as the measure that could have saved their workers’ healthcare crumbled. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom, the self-proclaimed face of California, emerged as the biggest villain in this drama.
He didn't just oppose the tax; he actively championed Prop 42, a measure backed by billionaires that prohibits future wealth taxes. Newsom even inserted himself into the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger talks, playing mediator to keep CEO David Ellison happy.
Ellison threatened to leave the state, and Newsom took it 'seriously,' proving that the political leverage of one mogul outweighs the healthcare needs of thousands. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg also threatened to flee, and the message was clear: the rich will take their toys and go home if asked to share. While the moguls maneuvered, Cheyenne Jackson was left screaming into the void.
The *American Horror Story* and *30 Rock* star launched 'One Job Away,' a project highlighting actors struggling to meet the $28,000 quarterly earnings threshold for SAG-AFTRA health insurance. He’s fielded hundreds of desperate inquiries from colleagues losing coverage. 'It’s hard out there right now,' Jackson told us.
When asked why the big names weren't using their platforms to help, Jackson’s response was pure drama: 'That’s the billion-dollar question. Some conversations need to happen.' The money tells the real story of this scandal. Over $350 million was poured into the fight, with opponents accounting for over 96 percent of that spending.
Tech titans like Sergey Brin and Peter Thiel wrote the checks, while Hollywood’s stars stayed in the shadows. 'Everybody was silent on this,' says Ashley Craig, a volunteer for Patriotic Millionaires. The result?
A massive victory for the elite and a direct hit to the safety net. In 2023, 22% of entertainment workers relied on Medi-Cal. Now, with the tax dead, the Motion Picture Television Fund is stretched thin, having helped only 1,100 workers in 2024.
This isn't just a political loss; it's a personal betrayal. The industry’s top tier protected their wealth, while the crew below them faces a healthcare cliff. Spielberg’s move, Newsom’s mediation, and the collective silence of the stars paint a picture of an industry that loves its workers on red carpets but leaves them stranded in the rain.
The A-listers have spoken, and they chose their portfolios over their people. The tea is bitter, and the receipts are damning.
