Actor and filmmaker Kevin Sorbo told Newsmax on Tuesday that while President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on movies made outside the United States highlight a real problem in Hollywood, they could end up raising costs in the United States as well.
"My suggestion is that other states in America should pick up the mantle here," Sorbo said on "National Report." "If you want people to stay in America and create more American jobs, well, [give] bigger tax credits."
He used Georgia as an example.
"Just follow Georgia's tax plan there and what they do with incentives, and a lot of businesses will come that way, and it will create jobs in that community as well," he said.
Georgia grants a 20% tax credit on qualified in-state spending with an additional 10% uplift for including a Georgia logo or other approved promotions.
Productions must spend at least $500,000 to qualify, and credits can be sold to Georgia taxpayers if the production company has no state tax liability. With no statewide cap and mandatory audits to verify expenses, the program has helped turn Georgia into a leading hub for film and TV production.
Sorbo noted that Hollywood has long dealt with "runaway production," where film and television projects shift to cheaper locations overseas or to states like Georgia and Louisiana. He said he is unsure tariffs can reverse the trend, warning that "it's going to make things a lot more costly for everybody else."
Instead, Sorbo argued that the solution lies in expanding state-level incentives to keep jobs in the U.S.
Even actor George Clooney, usually on the opposite side of the political spectrum, recently pointed to tax incentives as the most effective way to revive local production.
Sorbo acknowledged the rare common ground, saying Clooney's comments "reinforced what I just said."
He added that incentives would not only create jobs but also provide stability for below-the-line workers facing job losses as Hollywood adapts to new technology.
Sorbo also highlighted his own projects as an example of the kind of filmmaking he believes audiences are craving.
"I always encourage people to go to Sorbo Studios because we do movies that Hollywood used to do that have love, hope, and laughter in them and faith and redemption, and, you know, right now we need hope more than anything else," he said.
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight’s special series and President Trump’s comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.