Spencer Pratt is making a move from reality television to federal lobbying. The former Hills star said Friday that he met with President Donald Trump to push for a 25 percent federal film and television tax incentive, according to The Wrap.
"Working with the President on a 25% FEDERAL film tax credit to bring back Hollywood," Pratt wrote in a Friday Instagram post. "While Gavin Newsom's commissioner is actively outsourcing production jobs to Hungary, and his rogue AG is trying to destroy CA production companies, the adults in the room are actually trying to repatriate the most quintessential American industry."
He continued: "I'm committed to saving Hollywood, and I'm very grateful for the President's remarkable generosity and focus on this issue. He is very passionate about revitalizing the entertainment industry and we will not let Canada, or the U.K. or Budapest steal our lunch anymore. Speaking of lunch…best clam chowder I ever had. We discussed several other very important topics, as well. I'm humbled and grateful for all the time and discussion from the President. Unlike many other cynical doomers out there, he refuses to write off California."
The effort to establish a federal film tax incentive has stalled and revived repeatedly over more than a year. It remains unclear what formal role Pratt will take on, whether as a registered lobbyist or in a position similar to that of actor Jon Voight, whom Trump appointed as a special ambassador on the initiative.
Representatives for Pratt, Trump, and California Governor Gavin Newsom did not immediately respond to The Wrap's request for comment.
Pratt ran for Los Angeles mayor earlier this year and lost. With 99 percent of votes counted, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass finished first with 34 percent, followed by Nithya Raman at 29 percent and Pratt at 25.5 percent. Bass and Raman will face each other in a November runoff. Bringing film and television production back to California remains a central issue in that race.
After the election, Pratt posted a video on social media using a clip from the show Ozark. "If you're gonna stop me, you're going to have to f–king kill me," he said at the time. He added, "I don't have campaign laws hamstringing me now. It's war. It's zero hour for Los Angeles."
