Kristen Stewart plans dramatic exit from US over Trump's America-first film industry policies
Share and Follow

Kristen Stewart is considering relocating from the United States, citing concerns about President Donald Trump’s administration.

In an interview with The Times, the “Twilight” star shared her plans to develop her directorial career in Europe, expressing that she finds it challenging to work freely in the U.S.

Stewart’s directorial debut, “The Chronology of Water,” was filmed in Latvia, a decision she made because, according to her, shooting in the United States would have been unfeasible.

She also voiced her worries about Trump’s proposed tariffs on films produced abroad, calling them a “terrifying” prospect for the movie industry.

“Trump’s impact is causing reality to fracture,” Stewart remarked. “But perhaps we can learn from him and shape the reality we wish to live in.”

The bi-coastal actress – who spends time in Los Angeles and New York – admitted that she’s “probably not” going to live in the states for much longer.

“I can’t work freely there,” Stewart said. “But I don’t want to give up completely. I’d like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people.” 

In September, four months after initially musing the idea, Trump proposed a 100% tariff on films made outside the United States. 

“Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing ‘candy from a baby.’ California, with its weak and incompetent Governor, has been particularly hard hit!” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time. “Therefore, in order to solve this long time, never-ending problem, I will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States.”

“Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!,” he concluded. 

Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office responded with a statement on X: “The Governor tried to explain this to Trump months ago — when this was initially proposed — that his actions will cause irreparable damage to the U.S. film industry. Today’s move is 100% stupid.”

Trump’s proposal has not yet gained further momentum.

Stewart struggled to get the film made since she first announced the project in 2018 at the Cannes Film Festival, but told Porter Magazine in 2024 that she planned to shoot in Latvia.

“It’s a fledgling film culture there. Look, I’m all about the way we make movies here [in the U.S.], but I needed a sort of radical detachment. I am not a director yet. I need to make a student film. I can’t do that here,” she explained at the time.

Her history with the president goes back more than a decade. While she was dating “Twilight” co-star Robert Pattinson, Stewart was involved in a cheating scandal with her then-married “Snow White and the Huntsman” director, Rupert Sanders. 

Trump posted a string of tweets at the time, including, “Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again — just watch. He can do much better!”

Trump followed up days later with another post on the platform, and wrote, “Everyone knows I am right that Robert Pattinson should dump Kristen Stewart. In a couple of years, he will thank me. Be smart, Robert.”

Last month, the “Adventureland” actress slammed the entertainment industry as a “capitalist hell” which hated women and “marginalized voices.”

“We’re in a pivotal nexus, because I think we’re ready for a full system break. Do you know what I mean? I mean that across the board and also specific to the world that I live in, which is very exclusively the entertainment industry,” Stewart said in a sit-down with The New York Times’ “The Interview.”

“We need to start sort of stealing our movies. I’m so appreciative of every union. Trust me, we would not survive without them. But some of the terms and some of the rules and some of the structures we’ve set up have created unbelievable barriers for artists to express themselves.

She argued, “It’s just so difficult to make movies, it just doesn’t need to be. I’m just trying to think of some sort of weird, like Marxist, Communist-like, situation that other people can definitely think, of course this psycho is saying that, but I think it’s possible, especially in these kind of narrow and exclusive environments. I’m not talking about the world at large, but for us, the system has barred people and made it too difficult to be honest.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
HOWARD BLUM: What everyone missed in those leaked Idaho murder photos

Unveiling the Overlooked Details in Leaked Idaho Murder Photos by Howard Blum

In a startling turn of events, Idaho State Police inadvertently released a…
When does tax season start 2026? Our Chicago: Tax changes as a result of 'One Big, Beautiful Bill'

2026 Tax Season Commencement: Chicago Prepares for Changes Under ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mark your calendars: the tax season kicks off on…
Anti-ICE agitators clash with federal agents at Minneapolis hotel, as agents deploy tear gas, flashbangs

Protesters and Federal Agents Confront Each Other at Minneapolis Hotel, Utilizing Tear Gas and Flashbangs

In Minneapolis, a volatile situation unfolded overnight as authorities arrested multiple individuals…
Deputy saves mail driver from burning truck in Washington: bodycam

Heroic Deputy Rescues Mail Driver from Fiery Truck in Washington: Caught on Bodycam

A deputy acted heroically, rescuing a mail truck driver from a perilous…
Narratives clash after Trump and victim's family react to second Minneapolis ICE shooting

Controversy Erupts as Trump and Victim’s Family Respond Differently to Minneapolis ICE Shooting Involving Second Incident

Over the weekend, differing accounts emerged regarding the shooting of 37-year-old Alex…
What happened to Alex Pretti's key witness?

Mystery Unfolds: The Disappearance of Alex Pretti’s Crucial Witness

A gripping eyewitness account has emerged from the woman who captured the…
Christian Joel Young arrested for assaulting Maxwell Frost, congressman of Florida, at the Sundance Film Festival

Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost Assaulted by Christian Joel Young at Sundance Film Festival: Arrest Made

A man was taken into custody on Friday night at a Sundance…
Vintage Fiat 500 tours offer travelers a nostalgic way to explore Italy

Explore Italy in Style with Nostalgic Vintage Fiat 500 Tours

Embarking on a journey through Italy in a vintage Fiat 500 is…