Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a left-wing candidate for mayor, says she supports President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to help revive Hollywood.
During a recent interview on the “Breaking Points” podcast, Raman was asked about Trump’s call for Congress to swiftly approve a nationwide tax incentive for film and television production.
“I would be very supportive of it,” Raman said. “I’m going to take any kinds of support for this industry that we can get from any level of government. Absolutely.”
Raman said Hollywood must remain competitive not only across the United States but internationally, as studios have increasingly moved productions to other states and countries because of California’s high production costs.
Former mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, however, criticized Raman for what he described as insufficient action on behalf of the film industry. Although he lost in the primary, Pratt met with Trump to promote the idea of a 25% federal film tax credit intended to “bring back Hollywood.”
“I got the film tax credit to the President and worked directly with Senator (Adam) Schiff to move it forward. Why isn’t Nithya doing that?” Pratt said in response to Raman’s support for Trump’s proposal.
“I have zero political power, and I got more done in 3 weeks than she has in 3 years. If I can do it, what’s her excuse? She legit doesn’t wanna work,” added Pratt, a former reality television star.
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The California Post contacted the Raman campaign for comment.
California’s creative economy lost approximately 114,000 jobs, or 14%, between 2022 and 2025, according to a recent study by the Otis College of Art and Design, Westwood Economics and Planning Consultants. The sharpest declines came in film, television and sound, where employment dropped nearly 30%, and traditional media, which lost almost 34% of its jobs.
Hollywood’s downturn has become a central issue in the mayoral race, with Raman and incumbent Mayor Karen Bass trading criticism over how to address the industry’s decline.
Raman has gained momentum recently after a bombshell poll showed her leading Bass by 39% to 28%. Bass’s campaign dismissed the survey as an outlier.
Raman also recently met with members of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s inner circle. California’s last Republican governor hosted her at his Santa Monica office last week for a discussion with a packed gathering of Hollywood, business and civic leaders.
As part of her Hollywood agenda, Raman has proposed creating an LA Film Office within the mayor’s office to encourage studios to produce more projects locally. She has also called for faster film permitting and lower fees for independent productions.
On her campaign website, Raman says she would advocate “for the most expansive possible film tax credits at the state and federal level.”
