Sylvester Stallone reveals why he told Donald Trump his Hollywood ambassador role was impossible, explaining his surprise appointment and doubts.
Stallone Calls Trump’s Hollywood Role ‘Impossible’
Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone has revealed why he doubted his appointment as President Donald Trump’s special ambassador to Hollywood, describing the role as “impossible” and questioning whether the initiative could succeed.
The Rocky star recently opened up about the unexpected appointment in an interview with The Sunday Times, explaining that he was caught off guard when Trump announced him, along with actors Mel Gibson and Jon Voight, as special envoys in January 2025.
Stallone, 80, said he learned about the appointment while watching television rather than through a direct conversation with the president.
“I was watching TV one night, and they go, ‘So Stallone and Mel Gibson and Jon Voight will be …’ And I went, ‘What?'” Stallone recalled.
He added that he would have rejected the position if Trump had consulted him beforehand.
“Because if they had asked me in the beginning, I would have said, ‘This is not possible,'” the actor explained.
Why Stallone Called Trump’s Hollywood Role ‘Impossible’
Stallone’s concerns centered on Hollywood’s corporate structure and the challenges of influencing major entertainment studios.
The actor compared the industry to “feudal states,” arguing that its powerful studios operate independently and are unlikely to welcome outside direction.
“They have their little kingdoms,” Stallone said. “You don’t go in and tell six studios how to do things.”
He also noted that he, Gibson and Voight are independent-minded individuals, making the proposed arrangement difficult to sustain.
“No, it won’t work,” Stallone said.
The actor later recalled explaining his position directly to Trump, telling the president, “Thank you and ciao, because it’s impossible.”
Stallone also suggested that Hollywood would continue evolving on its own, without requiring his intervention.
“Hollywood works, and it will evolve,” he said.
The Tulsa King star added that the industry’s corporate executives might not be interested in hearing his advice about financial matters.
Trump Named Stallone, Mel Gibson and Jon Voight as Envoys
Trump announced the appointments on January 16, 2025, shortly before his second inauguration.
In a Truth Social post, the president named Stallone, Gibson and Voight as special ambassadors to Hollywood, describing the entertainment industry as a place that had lost significant business to foreign countries.
Trump said the trio would serve as his “eyes and ears” in Hollywood and help him develop ideas to bring film and television production back to the United States.
The president also expressed confidence that their involvement could help restore Hollywood’s production business.
However, Stallone’s latest comments suggest he was never convinced that the proposed ambassador role would be practical.
Gibson also said he was surprised by the announcement when it was made public in January 2025, telling Variety that he learned about the appointment at the same time as everyone else.
Stallone’s Trump Support Continues to Draw Attention
Despite his reservations about the Hollywood ambassador position, Stallone has publicly praised Trump and maintained a friendly relationship with the president.
In November 2024, shortly after Trump’s election victory, Stallone introduced him at an America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
During the speech, Stallone compared Trump to George Washington, praising the president-elect’s political achievement.
The actor’s latest remarks, however, offer a closer look at his reservations about taking on a role that would require navigating Hollywood’s complex business landscape.
Meanwhile, Voight has continued working on efforts to encourage more film and television production in the United States, including advocating for federal tax incentives.
Stallone’s account adds a new dimension to Trump’s Hollywood initiative, revealing that at least one of the three high-profile appointees questioned the feasibility of the role from the outset.
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