Isn’t this how Ronald Reagan began his career in government? Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA president, is working with the Trump administration on potential tax breaks to keep film production in the United States. Drescher is attempting to counteract a proposed 100% tariff on foreign films while protecting American filmmakers’ competitive edge. The “Nanny” star unexpectedly became union president and has been leveraging her professional accomplishments for the union’s benefit.
Hollywood’s Unexpected Labor Champion
Fran Drescher, best known for her iconic role in “The Nanny,” has transformed into one of Hollywood’s most outspoken labor leaders since becoming the unexpected president of SAG-AFTRA. Her leadership was put to the test during the historic 2023 dual strike involving both writers and actors—the first such joint action since 1960. Drescher’s impassioned advocacy during the strike revealed a fierce determination to protect union members against what she characterized as corporate greed dominating the entertainment industry.
During negotiations with studio executives, Drescher didn’t mince words, accusing them of making insulting offers while prioritizing Wall Street and shareholder profits. Her impromptu press conference at the strike announcement went viral, with Drescher speaking from the heart about the broader implications of the labor struggle. The union’s demands included contracts reflecting industry changes brought by streaming and AI technology, better residual payments, and improved working conditions.
SAG-AFTRA head Fran Drescher working with Trump on a tax break deal for Hollywood https://t.co/p1YbKe67n4 pic.twitter.com/tgMh3eYJBr
— NY Post Opinion (@NYPostOpinion) May 19, 2025
From Strike Leader to Political Negotiator
In a significant pivot from her confrontational stance during the strikes, Drescher has now entered the political arena by initiating conversations with the Trump administration. Her current focus aims to prevent a potentially devastating 100% tariff against foreign films while simultaneously protecting American production jobs. This demonstrates Drescher’s evolution from union firebrand to strategic political negotiator working across party lines to protect industry interests.
Drescher’s proposal centers on tax abatements designed to incentivize keeping film production within U.S. borders. This approach seeks to enhance the competitive advantage for domestic filmmakers while addressing concerns about production fleeing overseas. The move represents a pragmatic recognition that regardless of political differences, maintaining American entertainment industry jobs requires engagement with the incoming administration’s economic policies.
Exclusive | SAG-AFTRA prez Fran Drescher wants Trump to trade tariffs for tax breaks https://t.co/llH4AGbo1z
— Lawlor Media Group (@LawlorMedia) May 17, 2025
The Broader Industry Struggle
Drescher’s political maneuvering comes after her leadership during one of Hollywood’s most challenging labor disputes. Throughout the strike, she consistently emphasized that the actors’ fight represented a broader struggle against worker marginalization across various industries. She frequently pointed out how corporate executives have grown disconnected from the creative workforce that generates their products and profits.
The SAG-AFTRA president has argued forcefully for a new business model tied to streaming subscriptions rather than outdated structures from 1960. This position reflects her understanding that technological disruption requires contractual innovation. Her advocacy extends beyond traditional labor concerns to include protections against the emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence and other technologies that could potentially replace human performers without proper regulation.