Sylvester Stallone says he learned about his Trump administration appointment on live TV, after he already told the President no
‘Thank you and ciao.’
Sylvester Stallone recently shared that he learned about his appointment as a special ambassador to Hollywood while watching television, despite having already turned down the offer from President Donald Trump. This surprise announcement left the legendary actor confused, as he had previously made his stance clear to the administration. According to Entertainment Weekly, the appointment came to light in January 2025
Back then, Trump posted a statement on Truth Social, naming Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as special envoys tasked with bringing business back to the United States. He claimed the three actors would serve as his eyes and ears to restore what he described as a golden age for Hollywood. He specifically mentioned that the industry had lost significant business to foreign countries over the previous four years.
Stallone expressed genuine surprise when he first heard the news. In a recent interview, he recounted the moment he discovered his supposed new role. He was watching TV one night when the report came on, announcing his name alongside Gibson and Voight. The actor recalls questioning why this was happening after he had already declined the opportunity. He noted that if anyone had asked him at the beginning, he would have firmly stated that the role was not possible.
For Stallone, the issue lies in the structure of the film industry itself
The Tulsa King actor compared Hollywood to a collection of feudal states where each studio operates like a little kingdom. In his view, you cannot simply walk in and tell the six major studios how to conduct their business. He explained that he, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight are naturally independent people who prefer to do their own thing. Because of this, he concluded that the arrangement simply would not work.
Stallone was very direct when he communicated his reservations to the President. He said “I said thank you and ciao, because it’s impossible. Hollywood works and it will evolve. It’s corporate and corporate people won’t want to hear me tell them about finance.”
This confusion was not limited to Stallone. Mel Gibson also addressed the appointment through a statement to Variety at the time. He admitted that he received the information at the same time as the general public and was just as surprised as everyone else. Despite the lack of prior notice, Gibson expressed a willingness to heed the call. He stated that his duty as a citizen is to provide any help and insight he can, even joking about whether the position came with an official residence.
These actors have all spoken out in support of the Trump presidency
It is marked by vocal support and high-profile appearances. In November 2024, Stallone introduced Donald Trump at a black-tie gala at Mar-a-Lago held to celebrate the election victory. During his speech, Stallone described the President as a mythical character who does not exist on this planet. He went so far as to call him the second George Washington, suggesting that nobody else in the world could have achieved what he did.
Jon Voight has also been a consistent and vocal supporter of the administration. He has famously referred to Donald Trump as the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln. Voight has also been outspoken regarding his belief in the claims that the 2020 election was stolen, characterizing that period as a battle of righteousness versus Satan.
Mel Gibson has shared similar sentiments during his own appearances. At a different event at Mar-a-Lago in 2024, he described the previous Biden administration as four years of thinly veiled Marxism. He expressed optimism about the new leadership, suggesting that it would lead to a four-year grace period.
The history between Stallone and Trump includes more formal recognition as well
In December 2024, Trump awarded Stallone with a Kennedy Center Honor. The ceremony included other notable figures like Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, the band Kiss, and Michael Crawford, per The Independent. During the event, Donald Trump praised the actor as a friend and a spectacular person, labeling him one of the true great movie stars.
Despite these accolades and the clear support for the President, the role of special ambassador remains a point of contention for Stallone. He maintains that the job was not something he ever accepted. It remains unclear how the administration plans to move forward with these envoys, given that at least two of the named individuals were caught off guard by the announcement.
Stallone remains firm in his belief that the corporate nature of Hollywood makes such an intervention impractical. He continues to view the industry as a complex landscape that operates independently of such political appointments.
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