At a Glance
- Kristen Stewart says she may leave the U.S. because of Trump-era film tariffs.
- Trump announced tariffs on movies made outside the U.S. in May 2025.
- Other celebrities, such as Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres, have already relocated.
Why it matters: The move signals a growing exodus of Hollywood talent in response to policy changes that threaten international film production.
Kristen Stewart, a longtime actor and emerging director, has publicly expressed doubts about staying in the United States as President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs could restrict her ability to work freely in the film industry. The actress, who is 35, revealed her concerns in an interview with the U.K.’s The Times.
Stewart’s Decision Amid Trump’s Tariff Threat
In the interview, Stewart explained why she chose to film her directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, in Latvia. She said the U.S. would have made it “impossible” to shoot the drama there.
> “It would have been impossible to do in the U.S.,” she told The Times.
She also discussed the impact of the tariffs Trump announced in May 2025. The president had warned that the film industry could be severely harmed by tariffs on productions made outside the country.
> “Reality is breaking completely under President Donald Trump,” Stewart said.
She added that the potential tariffs were “terrifying,” even though they had not yet been imposed.
> “But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in.”
Stewart’s statement came as Trump’s comments on film tariffs drew criticism from industry leaders. He described the situation as a “National Security threat” and called for a return to domestic movie production.
> “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The actor’s remarks highlight a tension between artistic freedom and political policy.
The Tariff Announcement and Industry Reaction
Trump’s announcement in May 2025 included a threat to impose tariffs on movies produced outside the U.S. He cited a loss of Hollywood’s global influence and urged the U.S. to “make movies made in America, again.”
The New York Post reported that Trump had reiterated his plans on January 23:
> “I’m going to be putting tariffs on movies from outside of the country – if they’re made in Canada, if they’re made in all these places, because Los Angeles has lost the movie industry.”
He also mentioned potential bonds and low-interest financial measures to support the industry.
> “We’ll bring it back.”
Industry reaction has been mixed. Some filmmakers have expressed concern that the tariffs could stifle creative collaboration across borders. Others see an opportunity to strengthen domestic production.
Other Celebrities Following Suit
Stewart is not the first high-profile figure to consider leaving the U.S. after the 2024 election. Rosie O’Donnell, 63, announced her move to Ireland in early 2025, citing the political climate as a factor.
> “It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically and hard for me personally as well,” O’Donnell said in a March TikTok video.
Ellen DeGeneres, 68, confirmed her relocation to the U.K. in July. She and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved just before the election and decided to stay.
> “We got to the U.K. the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, ‘He got in.’ … And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here.'”
These moves illustrate a broader trend of talent migration driven by political concerns.
Stewart’s Film Projects and Future Plans
Stewart’s directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, is currently in theaters. She has expressed a desire to continue making films in Europe and to “shove them down the throat of the American people.”
She lives between Los Angeles and New York but said she probably would not stay in the U.S. long term.
> “I can’t work freely there. But I don’t want to give up completely.”
The actress’s background in the film industry since childhood informs her perspective.
> “It’s how I relate to the world. I’m always going, ‘How are we going to make that into a movie?'”
Her comments suggest a strategic pivot toward international production as a means to maintain creative control.
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign-made films have prompted a potential exodus of Hollywood talent.
- Kristen Stewart is considering leaving the U.S. to preserve her ability to work freely.
- Other celebrities, such as Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres, have already relocated.
- The film industry remains divided on how best to respond to the policy changes.
These developments underscore how political decisions can directly influence artistic careers and the global flow of creative work.
