The Kennedy Center kicked off June by continuing on their mission of offering family friendly content for visitors of all ages. The Washington, D.C.-based entertainment venue debuted the Angel Studios hit film, “The King of Kings,” on June 1.
“This animated film is the perfect family experience, and we are thrilled to bring a special viewing to the Kennedy Center,&#8221; Ambassador Richard Grenell, President of The John F. Kennedy Center, said in a <a href="https://www.angel.com/press/release/the-kennedy-center-to-host-free-screening-of-the-animated-film-the-king-of">press release</a>. “When I saw the advertising campaign for ‘The King of Kings,’ I immediately knew we needed to have it come to the Kennedy Center. Coincidentally, I was asked to be on a panel with the CEO of Angel Studios, so I cornered him. This is family-friendly programming that we will be doing more of in the future.”
Jordan Harmon, President of Angel distribution company, added, “The success of the film proves that when you give the audience the power to choose, they’ll elevate stories that matter and that will amplify light to families around the globe. The Kennedy Center has the pulse on art and entertainment that is impacting our culture, and to see this film celebrated there is a victory for faith, family, and the future of storytelling.”
Both shows were completely sold out and the on-site prayer wall was totally full, a rep from the Center confirmed with The Daily Wire. The theater included people of all ages and from all backgrounds applauding the animated film about the life of Jesus.
As of May 22, “The King of Kings” has grossed a total of $66.9 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful bible-based films in history.
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A synopsis of the film says, “A father tells his son the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice. The King of Kings invites us to rediscover the enduring power of hope, love, and redemption through the eyes of a child.”
Film critics and theatergoers were both effusive with their praise of the film. It currently has a 97% audience score on <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_king_of_kings">Rotten Tomatoes</a>.
Trump made headlines earlier this year when he promised to reform the Kennedy Center, which began when he replaced its board and was elected chairman. Trump also tapped Special Envoy Richard Grenell to serve as the Center’s president.
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote in February. “Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP.”

The King of Kings

The Kennedy Center Kicks Off June With Sold Out Showings Of ‘The King Of Kings’

The Kennedy Center Kicks Off June With Sold Out Showings Of 'The King Of Kings'

Entertainment

Movies

The Kennedy Center

U.S.

Washington D.C.

Tom Cruise had an enthusiastic reaction to his latest film, “Mission: Impossible &#8211; The Final Reckoning,” helping to make Memorial Day weekend 2025 break records at the box office.
The success of “Mission: Impossible 8,” which raked in $341 million worldwide, and Disney’s latest live-action remake, “Lilo &amp; Stitch,” which earned $200 million, gave the movie business a much-needed boost after a sluggish start to the year. 
“This weekend was one for the history books!” Cruise wrote in a note he shared with followers on his social media platforms. “Congratulations and thank you to every filmmaker, every artist, every crew member and every single person who works at the studios.&#8221;
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&mdash; Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomCruise/status/1927346598029217940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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“To every theater and every employee who helps bring these stories to audiences, thank you,” the message continued.  “To everyone that works at Paramount Pictures and Skydance, thank you for your many years of partnership and unwavering support.”
“And most of all, THANK YOU to audiences everywhere for whom we all serve and for whom we all LOVE to entertain. Sincerely, Tom.”
“Mission: Impossible &#8211; The Final Reckoning” earned $63 million domestically, a record for the long-running “Mission: Impossible&#8221; franchise, over the three-day weekend alone, according to <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/tom-cruise-reacts-mission-impossible-8-box-office-record-1236410669/">Variety</a>. The film brought in an estimated $77 million at the domestic box office during the four-day holiday.
“A record opening on the eighth iteration is remarkable. It speaks to the longevity of the franchise,” Paramount’s distribution chief Chris Aronson said. “The spectacle of what Tom and McQ [director Christopher McQuarrie] put on screen is one-of-a-kind in today’s marketplace.”
The success comes after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-reviews-are-in-for-tom-cruise-and-mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning">early reviewers</a> gave high praise to the action film. 
“[‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’] is whip-smart and razor-sharp, this tense eighth entry in one of the most exhilarating franchises of all time is another winner. With sphincter-tightening set pieces, blockbusters do not get much better than this. Cruise &amp; [director Christopher] McQuarrie nail it!” one reviewer wrote. 
The “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which began in 1996 and is based on the 1960s television series, has evolved into a high-energy action filmography featuring Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts and intricate espionage plots. The films have grossed more than $4 billion worldwide, with the most successful being “Fallout” (2018).

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise Shares Thank-You Note After ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ Record Opening

Tom Cruise Reacts To 'Mission: Impossible 8' Helping Set Memorial Day Box Office Record

Box Office

Memorial Day

Mission Impossible

Some film critics were able to check out Tom Cruise’s new film, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” ahead of its Memorial Day weekend release date of May 23, and so far, the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.
“[‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’] rips! Loved it. An exhilarating adrenaline rush for the head &amp; heart &amp; immersive, awe-inducing stuntacular of the highest order. McQ, [Tom Cruise] &amp; CO have crafted the gold standard – a brilliant, bold actioner for the ages. See it BIG &amp; LOUD,” one film critic <a href="https://x.com/Lulamaybelle/status/1922155008658723170">shared</a> on X. 
Another reviewer shared similar sentiments, <a href="https://x.com/ShowbizSimon/status/1922155294500556946">writing</a>, “[‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’] is whip-smart and razor-sharp, this tense eighth entry in one of the most exhilarating franchises of all time is another winner. With sphincter-tightening set pieces, blockbusters do not get much better than this. Cruise &amp; McQuarrie nail it!”
“[&#8216;Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning&#8217;] is the ACTION MOVIE OF THE SUMMER! [Tom Cruise] DEFIES ALL ODDS with JAW-DROPPING action built only for @IMAX. Every stunt, every set piece, every second is designed to blow your mind, A PULSE-POUNDING THRILL RIDE, and Cruise remains the king of spectacle,” a third reviewer <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mission-impossible-final-reckoning-first-reactions-1236214813/">echoed</a>.
Another said this film, “ties up loose ends of the franchise while also coming full circle on storylines I never imagined would be revisited. The wonderfully insane stunts are to be expected, but the film really hinges on the tension throughout. It’s a great time!”
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | Official Trailer (2025 Movie) - Tom Cruise" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fsQgc9pCyDU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
“MI8” will debut at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14 ahead of its theatrical release. 
This latest effort is a follow-up to “Dead Reckoning Part One,” which was considered a box office disappointment despite making $566 million globally due to the high costs of production and marketing. Per <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mission-impossible-final-reckoning-first-reactions-1236214813/">The Hollywood Reporter</a>, “MI8” cost more than $400 million to make and was plagued by production delays, meaning it has even more ground to make up.
The &#8220;Mission: Impossible&#8221; franchise, which began in 1996 and is based on the 1960s television series, has evolved into a high-energy action filmography featuring Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts and intricate espionage plots. The films have <a href="https://www.therichest.com/mission-impossible-movies/">grossed</a> more than $4 billion worldwide, with the most successful being “Fallout” (2018).
While &#8220;Mission: Impossible &#8211; The Final Reckoning&#8221; is titled in a way that suggests it might be the end of the franchise, the film&#8217;s director, Christopher McQuarrie, has not confirmed or denied the suggestion. Tom Cruise did confirm that

The Reviews Are In For Tom Cruise And ‘Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning’

Critics Say 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' Is An 'Exhilarating Adrenaline Rush'

Cannes

Hollywood

World

One of President Donald Trump’s better qualities flies far under the radar. He doesn’t hold a grudge. That’s especially true when there’s a greater good in play.
Then-candidate Trump sparred aggressively with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly during the 2016 campaign. Late last year, Kelly endorsed Trump, speaking at a MAGA rally days before the Nov. 5 election.
The president once dubbed a presidential rival “Little” Marco Rubio. That politician is currently Trump’s trusted Secretary of State.
Now, Trump wants to make amends with Hollywood, an industry that loathes him with the heat of a thousand suns. This act of forgiveness dwarfs them all, but Trump sees movies as a vital part of the nation’s soft power as well as a critical industry.
<div id="attachment_877383" style="width: 873px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-877383" class="size-large wp-image-877383" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-877916002-863x576.jpg" alt="HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 06: Donald Trump star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California on Dec. 6, 2016." width="863" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-877916002-863x576.jpg 863w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-877916002-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-877916002-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-877916002-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-877916002-2048x1368.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-877916002-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-877916002-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 863px) 100vw, 863px" />shalunts. Getty Images.</div>
It’s why Hollywood should swallow hard and play nice with President Trump. Or, at the very least, lend him its collective ear.
Trump’s shocking outreach began with, what else, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-movie-industry-is-dying-puts-plan-in-place-to-save-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a social media post</a>. He promised 100% tariffs on movies made outside of the U.S.
<blockquote>I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands,” he added. “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!&#8221;</blockquote>
All heck broke loose in La La Land, with entertainment news outlets spinning furiously against the vague proposal.
Call it Trump’s opening volley, part of the president’s knack for starting with big claims and negotiating from there. It’s similar to Trump’s earlier announcement that movie superstars Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight would form a group of “Ambassadors” to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-appoints-a-list-stars-as-ambassadors-to-hollywood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revive the flailing film industry.</a>
<blockquote>It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!</blockquote>
Except the news seemed to have caught the trio by surprise and, only recently, did one of the actors, Voight, step forward with <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/jon-voight-trump-hollywood-tariff-1236390109/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">concrete plans</a> on making Hollywood great again.
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/05/07/nx-s1-5389865/trump-movie-tariffs-jon-voight-tax-incentives-hollywood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NPR described Voight’s vision</a> as “federal tax incentives, co-production treaties with other countries and subsidies for theater owners and film and TV production companies.”
<div id="attachment_861225" style="width: 987px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-861225" class="size-large wp-image-861225" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/Jon-Voight-977x576.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: Actor Jon Voight speaks at Donald Trump's victory rally on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn in on January 20. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)" width="977" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/Jon-Voight-977x576.jpg 977w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/Jon-Voight-300x177.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/Jon-Voight-768x453.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/Jon-Voight.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 977px) 100vw, 977px" />Scott Olson/Getty Images</div>
The “Midnight Cowboy” star acknowledged the rift between Trump and Hollywood, adding that it shouldn&#8217;t distract from the big picture.
“I think he’s been treated unfairly. I think I have too. But what’s the difference? Who cares?” Voight asks. “I mean, there’s been a battle, but now it’s time to put that aside. And I must say, in all of the interactions we’ve had [on addressing runaway production], politics has never come up. Never.”
Hollywood, Inc. would be foolish not to listen.
Yes, the box office came roaring back in recent weeks, courtesy of hits like “Sinners” and “A Minecraft Movie.” That doesn’t camouflage the sizable issues confronting movie studios, from the death of the modern movie star to escalating film budgets.
Case in point? The upcoming “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” has a <a href="https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/3/25/mission-impossible-8-has-a-400m-budget" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$400 million budget</a>, meaning it will have to dramatically out-perform the best films in the series to make a profit.
Hollywood’s problems would make a depressing feature.
Film and TV productions have been fleeing Los Angeles for some time. Streaming platforms have proven to be far less profitable than hoped, with Netflix emerging as the strongest money maker for now.
The DVD/Blu-ray gravy train slowed some time ago, removing a safety net for films that didn’t catch fire at theaters.
Dueling 2023 strikes hurt the industry more than anticipated, and the threat of A.I. to the creative community looms in the not-so-distant future. Social media, YouTube and other distractions now dominate the culture, making young consumers <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/deloitte-gen-z-creator-content-streaming-price-1236171227/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less invested in Hollywood product</a>.
Meanwhile, California Democrats are <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-05-06/newsom-called-for-a-federal-tax-incentive-to-save-hollywood-but-will-that-actually-happen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scrambling to prevent productions</a> from leaving the City of Angels for more receptive states and countries. That’s left countless Calif.-based crew members desperate for work. <a href="https://variety.com/2025/biz/news/new-york-film-subsidy-jersey-1236392167/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York just followed suit</a>.
Hollywood players hate Trump so much some wish they could erase his presence from pop culture of yore. “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/home-alone-2-director-trump-cameo-removed-1236369779/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">director said just that about Trump’s seconds-long cameo</a> in his 1992 film.
<div id="attachment_908099" style="width: 832px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-908099" class="size-large wp-image-908099" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Donald-Trump-Macauley-Culkin-822x576.jpg" alt="Macaulay Culkin" width="822" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Donald-Trump-Macauley-Culkin-822x576.jpg 822w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Donald-Trump-Macauley-Culkin-300x210.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Donald-Trump-Macauley-Culkin-768x538.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Donald-Trump-Macauley-Culkin.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 822px) 100vw, 822px" />Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images</div>
Others have alternately <a href="https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/louis-c-k-donald-trump-insane-bigot-dangerous-1201723679/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dubbed him Hitler</a> or <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/celebrities-wished-trump-dead/">wished him dead</a>. That sentiment may be hard to overcome.
The perfect storm of problems facing Hollywood may be too much for any presidential plan to solve. Gen Z’s drift away from movie watching can’t be assuaged by new policies. Stars still insist on <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/fantastic-four-rachel-zegler-problem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">insulting potential customers</a>, from “Snow White’s” Rachel Zegler to the cast of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
The two sides need to put aside their differences for the greater good. A healthy film market impacts more than just studio executives, theater owners and various crew members.
Hollywood movies send a message to the world. Films like “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006) showcase the power of the American capitalist system. Others promote values like individual liberty (2012’s “Still Mine”) and triumphs over adversity (2016’s “Hidden Figures”).
It’s why China invests so heavily in its movie industry. The Communist nation wants to put the nation’s best foot forward on the big screen, removing sequences from foreign films that cast the country in a negative light.
President Trump may not make Hollywood great again. He could help the industry thrive against all odds.
* * *
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-TRUMP

Trump Wants To Make Hollywood Great Again — Will The Industry Listen?

California

Film

Jon Voight

Los Angeles

Mel Gibson

Netflix

New York City

President Trump

Sylvester Stallone

Whoopi Goldberg launched into a tirade against President Donald Trump on Tuesday, complaining that his recently-announced tariff on films made outside the United States amounted to an attempt to control the kind of movies that could be made.
Goldberg and her cohosts mocked Trump&#8217;s latest tariff announcement — a 100% tariff on movies made outside the United States — and kicked off the conversation by saying that Trump should deal with the egg prices (which have come down considerably since they peaked in March) before he worries about Hollywood.
&#8220;Okay, look,&#8221; Goldberg began. &#8220;You can&#8217;t do that because what that equates to is you&#8217;re going to tell me how to write the story I want to write if it happens in Europe, you&#8217;re telling me that if my book comes out and I want to write it, you&#8217;re telling me how to write it. You&#8217;re telling me you&#8217;re going to charge me for that.&#8221;
&#8220;What – you know, I — could you, look, ughhhhhh. Could you please lower the price of eggs before you start this?!&#8221; she continued.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Faux conservative Alyssa Farah Griffin mocks the idea of making some movie in America &#8220;Will it be Emily in Paris, Texas?&#8221; 
Sara Haines notes that Trump&#8217;s tariff threat has already caused California to want to increase incentives to film there. 
Whoopi continued to rage: &#8220;[I]f you… <a href="https://t.co/UGP6c2jMUE">pic.twitter.com/UGP6c2jMUE</a>
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickFondacaro/status/1919777666154045620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin noted that some states were already competing to bring in filmmakers, noting that Georgia had effectively become &#8220;the Hollywood of the southeast because they make it cheaper to make movies there.&#8221; She then pivoted to mock the idea anyway, asking whether &#8220;Emily in Paris&#8221; would be remade as &#8220;Emily in Paris, Texas&#8221; — &#8220;or like &#8216;White Lotus: Mar-a-Lago Edition.&#8217; Movies will be very limited if you can only shoot here.&#8221;
Sara Haines noted that Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) had already moved to increase incentives for filmmakers to practice their craft in California, arguing that Trump&#8217;s plan could potentially bring about a positive outcome.
Goldberg pushed back, arguing that it would ultimately hurt movies if the tariff remained in place. &#8220;You can&#8217;t shoot &#8216;Gladiator&#8217; without going to Rome!&#8221;

WHOOPI GOLDBERG

‘You Can’t Do That!’: Whoopi Trashes Trump Over Hollywood Tariff, Claims He’s Controlling Movie Plots

'You Can't Do That!' Whoopi Trashes Trump Over Hollywood Tariff, Claims He's Controlling Movie Plots

Donald Trump

Media

Politics

Tariffs

The View

Whoopi Goldberg

On a newsy Sunday evening, President Donald Trump declared that he is authorizing a 100% tariff on movies produced in foreign countries.
&#8220;The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114452117143235155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post on Truth Social.
&#8220;It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands,&#8221; he added. &#8220;WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!&#8221;
Trump flew on Air Force One from Florida back to Washington, D.C., with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and others on Sunday evening, according to the White House press pool.
On X, Lutnick <a href="https://x.com/howardlutnick/status/1919179324910944354" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a> to Trump&#8217;s directive, saying, &#8220;We&#8217;re on it.&#8221;
The Hollywood Reporter <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/trump-tariff-movies-produced-outside-america-1236206949/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> a number of expensive movies are being shot across the globe, including &#8220;Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning&#8221; and &#8220;Avatar: Fire and Ash,&#8221; and noted it was unclear if they would be impacted.
A little more than 100 days into his second term, Trump has unveiled a number of levies on foreign imports, most notably the &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs last month which imposed a 10% rate on imports from many nations, with higher rates in some cases. Trump granted a 90-day pause, keeping only the base rate for most countries, but escalated China’s tariffs to 145% after Beijing’s retaliatory measures.
Trump answered questions from reporters during the flight back to the nation&#8217;s capital on Sunday. He noted there <a href="https://x.com/i/status/1919182943483773141" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;could very well be&#8221;</a> some trade deals announced this coming week.
While officials in the Trump administration have been working to negotiate deals to remedy what they say are grievous trade imbalances and other issues, Democrats and a couple Republicans in Congress have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-rejects-bid-to-stop-trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-vance-stifles-attempt-to-resurrect-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tried</a> to rein in Trump&#8217;s tariff authority amid concerns about the economic consequences and constitutional checks and balances, but to no avail.
Also on Sunday evening, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-announces-plan-to-rebuild-and-open-notorious-prison-in-bid-to-undercut-activist-judges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that he was directing the federal government to reopen the Alcatraz prison.

President Donald Trump

Trump Says Movie Industry Is ‘DYING,’ Puts Plan In Place To Save It

Hollywod

Trade War

Matt Walsh is a man of many talents — a popular podcaster, a notable documentarian, a feared fisherman, and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyrDtgjAgII" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surprisingly good</a> &#8220;Mortal Kombat&#8221; player. There is one persistent trait, however, that must be addressed: his passionate hatred of &#8220;Star Wars.&#8221;
I discovered Walsh’s animosity for &#8220;Star Wars&#8221; in May of 2023 while listening to his <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-1156-princeton-professor-tries-to-debunk-biology-fails-hilariously?elementPosition=155&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+Show+Episodes+Carousel">show</a>. After hearing I played a recently released &#8220;Star Wars&#8221; game, he looked dead into the camera and said he was “repulsed by (me) completely.” And then continued to call me a “complete and utter disgrace.” Harsh. 
Last Thursday, theaters nationwide <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIbYlxVpJnc/">launched</a> a week-long re-release of “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” to celebrate the film&#8217;s 20th anniversary. The film stands out not only for its stunning cinematography, one of a kind soundtrack, and compelling life-lessons, but also as the final “Star Wars” entry before progressive-infused Disney’s acquisition.
Walsh, apparently, did not recognize the exceptional film for what it is. After taking his children to see it in theaters, he <a href="https://x.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1917266257956724823" target="_blank" rel="noopener">took</a> to X and attacked the movie.
I will now address his unfounded criticisms.
His first issue is with the film’s dialogue. Walsh claims “Revenge of the Sith” has “the worst dialogue he’s ever heard in a mainstream Hollywood film.” To support his claim, he quotes a romantic scene between Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala: 
<blockquote>Anakin: You’re so beautiful 
Padme: It’s only because I’m so in love
Anakin: No it’s because I’m so in love with you 
Walsh leaves out the second half of the scene, which reveals the lines are not poorly written, but instead an intentional foreshadowing of what is to come later in the film. The scene continues;
Padme: So love has blinded you?
Anakin: Well, that&#8217;s not exactly what I meant. 
Padme: But it’s probably true.</blockquote>
At this point in the film, Anakin believes his wife is going to die in childbirth because of a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLb_k4Pz3CM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vision </a>he has in his sleep. As the primary antagonist, Emperor Palpatine (not Ovaltine) tells him that committing to the Dark Side is the only way to save her. This, and his blinding love for Padme, leads him to commit the atrocities he does later in the film. Pure genius from George Lucas, who Walsh claims should be arrested.
<div id="attachment_914885" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-914885" class="size-large wp-image-914885" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-35-PM-7863-1024x576.jpg" alt="Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman. Lucasfilm, Ltd. All rights reserved." width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-35-PM-7863-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-35-PM-7863-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-35-PM-7863-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-35-PM-7863-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-35-PM-7863-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Lucasfilm, Ltd. All rights reserved.</div>
Walsh’s next criticism of the film is that it has “abysmal action choreography.” To me, this attack is the most absurd. 
The final <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3OtoO5zjjU&amp;t=358s">fight</a> between Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi, master versus apprentice, is one of the most iconic fight scenes in cinema history. Numerous outlets such as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VpsG7JA-jc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WatchMojo</a>, <a href="https://screenrant.com/best-movie-sword-fights-ranked/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ScreenRant</a>, and <a href="https://movieweb.com/best-one-on-one-sword-fights-in-movies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MovieWeb</a> all rank the battle as one of the greatest sword fights in movie history. The fight was choreographed by legendary stuntman Nick Gillard, and is not sped up at all. Both actors trained relentlessly to master each move shown on camera.
<div id="attachment_914883" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-914883" class="size-large wp-image-914883" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-30-PM-8822-1024x576.jpg" alt="Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor. Lucasfilm, Ltd. All rights reserved. " width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-30-PM-8822-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-30-PM-8822-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-30-PM-8822-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-30-PM-8822-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/MixCollage-01-May-2025-04-30-PM-8822-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Lucasfilm, Ltd. All rights reserved.</div>
Walsh specifically attacks the final move of the duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin, saying the following;
<blockquote>Anakin jumps and flips through the air like Spider-Man but then at the end he loses because the other guy is standing on a small hill and has the higher ground. This was for some reason an insurmountable strategic advantage, even though Anakin had just seconds earlier leaped like 20 feet in the air while doing flips like an Olympic gymnast. So then Anakin decides to jump directly over top the other guy, close enough that he can just casually reach up and cut his legs off. He could have jumped anywhere else on the hill, or just a little higher, and avoided this issue.</blockquote>
Like many things Walsh has criticized in the film, the seemingly risky move Anakin used was intentional. Young Anakin Skywalker was fascinated by his master Obi-Wan’s triumph over Darth Maul in “Episode I: The Phantom Menace.” To defeat Maul, Obi-Wan <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsAEdblcqU4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flipped over him</a> and cut him in half upon landing.
When Anakin fights Obi-Wan, his pride and ego is at an all time high. He wants to prove to his once-master that he is now his superior. This is why moments before the final move, Anakin tells Obi-Wan, “You underestimate my power!”
Obi-Wan can sense Anakin is going to try his own move against him, so he offers one final warning, “Don’t try it.” Anakin did not listen, and ended up getting his legs cut off.
Walsh also criticized where the battle takes place, on a lava planet “for some reason.” He clearly suffers from a lack of knowledge in &#8220;Star Wars&#8221; lore. It’s the same reason he doesn’t understand why Anakin jumped over Obi-Wan.
The planet they fought on, Mustafar, is <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Mustafar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">described</a> by Wookiepedia as “powerful in the Dark Side of The Force.” Palpatine sent Anakin there so he could tap into the Dark Side more intensely as he slaughtered the separatists who were awaiting him. In the 2017 comic Darth Vader 5, Palpatine <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Darth_Vader_(2017)_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">instructs</a> Vader to return to Mustafar because it “is not like other planets. It is unique. Deep beneath its surface rests a locus for the Dark Side of The Force.&#8221;
Vader was so drawn to the planet’s Dark Side power that seven years after “Revenge of the Sith,” he built his <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Fortress_Vader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">castle</a>, Fortress Vader, there. 
Walsh’s final objection to the film was that it “took itself too seriously.” He expands on this by claiming “You can’t be campy and fun and also have mass child slaughter in the same film.”
Most of Walsh&#8217;s criticisms come from a lack of looking beneath the surface, taking everything at face value. “Revenge of the Sith” was always meant to be lighthearted in the beginning, and tragic in the end. After nearly three decades of fans left without a backstory, the purpose of the movie was to show how Hollywood’s most iconic villain, Darth Vader, transformed from a cunning warrior for good, to the embodiment of evil.
Following the classic hero&#8217;s journey literary archetype, we witness Anakin’s lighthearted upbringing in Episodes 1 and 2, his tragic fall in the second half of Episode 3, and his eventual redemption in Episode 6. A story that George Lucas brilliantly wrote and produced over 3 decades.
Walsh’s tweet thread ends on a lighter note, expressing that despite all of his concerns, his kids liked it. To me and countless other fans who believe “Revenge of the Sith” is one of the greatest films ever made, we can only hope Matt Walsh will read this piece and watch it again with an open mind.
* * *
Jacob Falach is an associate producer at The Daily Wire. You can find him on Instagram at: @jacobfalach.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated Ray Park was the fight and stunt coordinator for the film. The actual fight and stunt coordinator for &#8220;Revenge of the Sith&#8221; was Nick Gillard.

Star Wars Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith Photocall In Japan

Why Matt Walsh Is Wrong About ‘Revenge Of The Sith’

Why Matt Walsh Is Wrong About 'Revenge Of The Sith'

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“Rust” director Joel Souza says he regrets writing the movie.
Souza, 51, was injured and cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed while filming a scene for the movie when a prop gun held by Alec Baldwin accidentally discharged.
Baldwin&#8217;s involuntary manslaughter trial was dismissed with prejudice in July 2024 after a judge ruled that prosecutors had deliberately withheld key evidence, preventing any future charges. While Baldwin was cleared, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
The director is currently promoting the film ahead of its United States release on Friday, but appears to have mixed feelings about it.
“You think about the chain of events that started that morning. Bad decision after bad decision was made…talk about the butterfly effect,” Souza told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/28/rust-joel-souza-alec-baldwin-halyna-hutchins-shooting">The Guardian</a> in a newly published interview. “I wish I never wrote the damn movie.”
The “Rust” director also discussed his apprehension with firearms. “I didn’t grow up around [guns] and I don’t like the culture,” he said. “Guns make me recoil. The idea of touching one, picking one up, I find very off-putting.”
However, using guns was necessary for making a Western drama like “Rust.” Souza was planning to abandon the project unfinished. But he says Hutchins’ family insisted on something different.
“The family wanted it completed,” Souza told The Guardian. “I’d been repelled by the thought of going back, but now it started to appeal. And I couldn’t live with the idea of someone else doing it.”
“I was a mess going in and a mess coming out,” he added. “The crew carried me through. My family carried me through. Emotionally, I was all over the map.”
Previously, “Rust” premiered in Poland at the Camerimage International Film Festival in late November. Souza <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/alec-baldwins-rust-trailer-drops-nearly-four-years-after-fatal-on-set-shooting?author=Katie+Jerkovich&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Alec+Baldwin%E2%80%99s+%E2%80%98Rust%E2%80%99+Trailer+Drops+Nearly+Four+Years+After+Fatal+On-Set+Shooting">confirmed</a> to Vanity Fair that the scene which included the fatal shooting had been removed “in its entirety.”
“Gone. Not just that, but also a few things leading up to it,” Souza said at the time. “Everything needed to be entirely reconceived there. There were a few things that came before that now wouldn’t make story sense. So we just sort of eliminated it and came up with something entirely different.”
“I’m not going back to that,” he added. “I’m glad you asked. I don’t want anyone who ever does see this to be waiting for that. No one ever pushed to keep anything like that.”

Joel Souza

‘Wish I’d Never Written That Damn Movie:’ ‘Rust’ Director Reflects Ahead Of U.S. Release

'Wish I’d Never Written That Damn Movie:' 'Rust' Director Reflects Ahead Of U.S. Release

Alec Baldwin

Rust

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made a change to the rules for Oscars voting that shocked fans who can’t believe it hasn&#8217;t been the standard all along.
Several new <a href="https://press.oscars.org/news/awards-rules-and-campaign-promotional-regulations-approved-98th-oscarsr">guidelines</a> were announced Monday, including a rule saying, “Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars.”
“Absolutely insane this wasn’t already a thing,” one X user replied to the update, echoing what so many others were saying. “Were they just voting on vibes before?” another chimed in.
Commenters also wondered if some films in the past may have been overlooked or snubbed because of it.
“This honestly makes me question the integrity of previous Oscar wins,” another reply <a href="https://x.com/sash_jpg/status/1914423182448005584">said</a>. “Imagine if Dune: Part Two didn’t get an award simply because voters couldn’t be bothered to sit through a two-hour film, and the clip they saw felt too boring or confusing without context. There are so many great films that probably lost out this way.”
Others questioned how the new rule would be enforced.
“How will you prove this? I could go to the theater and sleep through every one or play the screeners to an empty couch. It seems this is more wish fulfillment than actual enforceable policy,” one person <a href="https://x.com/deltamagnet/status/1914413354162250034">wrote</a>.
The Academy announced other updates in addition to the new rule for voting, including a rule saying the use of generative AI and digital tools will &#8220;neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination.”
This comes amid a huge debate over the use of AI in the movie industry, with actors and directors divided on how and when it should be used. There was controversy about the use of AI in “The Brutalist” this past awards season. The historical drama took home three Academy Awards, including Best Actor.
It was discovered that Adrien Brody’s Hungarian accent was tweaked using AI to adjust vowel and consonant sounds using an editor’s voice. The director justified the move, saying it was a tiny fix that didn’t touch the actual performance.

Oscars

Oscars Mandate Voters Must Watch All Films Before Voting, Sparking Mockery Online

The animated, bible-based film “The King of Kings” managed to perform almost as well in its second week as it did during the film’s premiere, bringing in $17.2 million over Easter weekend after a record-breaking $19.1 million debut.
The past weekend&#8217;s earnings represent only a 10% decrease in revenue, which is among the 50 lowest percentage revenue drops for any movie that had a theatrical opening, per <a href="https://screenrant.com/king-of-kings-movie-low-second-week-drop-box-office-milestone/">Screen Rant</a>. This is significantly better than the industry average second-weekend drop, which usually ranges from 50% to 60%.
“The King of Kings” came in third at the box office behind “Sinners” and “A Minecraft Movie.” The film has made just over $45 million, making it the second-highest-grossing movie for Angel Studios, behind 2023’s unexpected hit, “Sound of Freedom.”
In its debut weekend, “The King of Kings” also broke the record set by “The Prince of Egypt” for most money earned by an animated biblical film during its premiere. “The Prince of Egypt” (1998) went on to earn over $100 million domestically.
“The King of Kings” has been a massive hit with critics and audiences, too. It currently has a 65% critic score and 98% audience score on <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_king_of_kings">Rotten Tomatoes</a>.
The reviewer from The San Francisco Chronicle noted the film’s “whimsical Dickensian touches.” &#8220;The King of Kings” is based on Charles Dickens&#8217; book, “The Life of Our Lord.” He also called the movie “amusing and possibly enlightening Easter entertainment for younger children.”
Most moviegoers were generous with their praise. One reviewer said it was “a visually captivating animated film that brings the story of Jesus to life through the imaginative lens of Charles Dickens narrating to his son.”
“The film’s heartfelt message of hope, love, and redemption resonates strongly with faith-based audiences. A great film for all !! Tastefully done,” he added.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="The King Of Kings | Official Trailer | In theaters April 11 | Angel Studios" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HDhet3EVRac?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Another agreed, writing, “This was so captivating! Entertains adults and kids. It is full of truth and light. I’d recommend to everyone!”
A synopsis of the film says, “A father tells his son the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice. The King of Kings invites us to rediscover the enduring power of hope, love, and redemption through the eyes of a child.”

King of Kings

‘King Of Kings’ Holds Strong Over Easter Weekend With Surprisingly Low Revenue Drop

'King Of Kings' Holds Strong Over Easter Weekend With Surprisingly Low Revenue Drop

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Bible

A 1977 version of “Star Wars,” which George Lucas refused to put on the big screen, is heading to theaters. 
The original release, then called just “Star Wars,” now referred to as “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope,” was constantly tweaked after its original release by Lucas. The filmmaker referred to these new, slightly altered versions as “Special Editions.” According to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-original-cut-edit-screening-george-lucas-1236191847/">The Hollywood Reporter</a>, some of those changes were subtle while others were more significant. 
In June, the British Film Institute’s Film on Film Festival will include a screening of one of the Technicolor prints from the original “Star Wars” run. The Telegraph <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/star-wars-original-print-george-lucas-bfi/">noted</a> that this represents the first time this version of the iconic space drama has been shown on the big screen since December 1978.
“We’re delighted to announce the programme for the second edition of the BFI Film on Film Festival, taking place at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX from 12 to 15 June 2025 and opening with Star Wars (1977), screening publicly for the first time in decades in its original 1977 version,” BFI <a href="https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/bfi-film-film-festival-line-up-star-wars-twin-peaks">wrote</a> in the announcement.
The print is an “original, unfaded dye transfer IB Technicolor British release print of Star Wars (1977), preserved in the BFI National Archive, and ready to transport us to a long time ago, and a galaxy far, far away, back to the moment in 1977 when George Lucas’s vision cast a spell on cinema audiences,” the organization wrote, adding that attendees can also “view material from the original continuity script for Star Wars, which includes rare on-set Polaroids, annotations and deleted scenes.” 
While some copies of the unaltered original do exist and have circulated for home use, Lucas has been adamant about only allowing the Special Edition to be seen in theaters. He discussed the subject during a 2004 <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/lucas-talks-star-wars-trilogy-returns-wbna6011380">interview</a> with The Associated Press.
“The Special Edition, that’s the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it. I’m not going to spend the — we’re talking millions of dollars here — the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore,” Lucas said at the time.  
“It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw a half-completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I’m the one who has to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they’re going to throw rocks at me, they’re going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.”
Disney purchased the entire “Star Wars” franchise from Lucasfilm in 2012 for just over $4 billion. The last release, “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” made more than $1 billion despite lackluster critical reviews. Next up, Disney will try again with “The Mandalorian &amp; Grogu,” which is expected in May 2026.

Original ‘Star Wars’ Version George Lucas Banned Will Hit Screens For First Time In Decades

Original 'Star Wars' Version George Lucas Banned Will Hit Screens For First Time In Decades

George Lucas

“Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” director Chris Columbus said that he’s still tormented by Donald Trump making a cameo in the 1992 film.
Columbus referenced the popular pop culture moment during an <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/trump-chris-columbus-home-alone-2-20274381.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawJqHPtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHp4_XzTikXHclrOagZJsIMZU09Y2OelDzJTE69PBkh9QQsAjNu7rPcnVQMNa_aem_mqGPfh7Gw7f7KjkoaB6gLg">interview</a> with the San Francisco Chronicle, saying Trump’s seven second appearance in the movie has “become this curse.”
“It’s become an albatross for me. I just wish it was gone,” Columbus lamented. “I can’t cut it. If I cut it, I’ll probably be sent out of the country. I’ll be considered sort of not fit to live in the United States, so I’ll have to go back to Italy or something.”
“Home Alone 2” followed up on the popularity of the first film. It showed the McAllister family taking a trip to Florida, only the youngest son, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), winds up by himself in New York City. He’s pursued by the same two burglars from the first film, Marv (Daniel Stern) and Harry (Joe Pesci).
“We screened the film in Chicago, and when that moment came onscreen the audience went crazy,” Columbus added. “They cheered and they cheered and they thought it was hilarious. I think I know a lot about comedy, but I don’t, obviously, because I never thought that was going to be considered hilarious.”
Columbus told Business Insider in 2020 that Trump insisted he be included in the film, but Trump said the opposite is true.
“We paid the fee, but he also said, ‘The only way you can use the Plaza is if I’m in the movie.’ So we agreed to put him in the movie,” the director said during an interview for the film’s 30th anniversary.
President Trump addressed Columbus’ claims three years later in a Truth Social post.
“I was very busy, and didn’t want to do it,” he wrote. “They were very nice, but above all, persistent. I agreed, and the rest is history! That little cameo took off like a rocket, and the movie was a big success, and still is, especially around Christmas time. People call me whenever it is aired.”
Trump continued, “Now, however, 30 years later, Columbus (what was his real name?) put out a statement that I bullied myself into the movie. Nothing could be further from the truth. That cameo helped make the movie a success … Just another Hollywood guy from the past looking for a quick fix of Trump publicity for himself!”
During the new interview, Columbus stated, “Years later, it’s become this curse. It’s become this thing that I wish it was not there. What’s going through this guy’s mind? He said I was lying. I’m not lying. He said I begged him to be in the movie, but there’s no world I would ever beg a non-actor to be in a movie. But we were desperate to get the Plaza Hotel.”

Macaulay Culkin

‘Home Alone 2’ Director Says Trump Cameo Is His ‘Albatross,’ Wishes ‘It Was Gone’

'Home Alone 2' Director Says Trump Cameo Is His 'Albatross,' Wishes 'It Was Gone'

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