‘Tulsa King’ Star Sylvester Stallone Clarifies He Never Agreed to Trump’s Hollywood Role

When Donald Trump appointed three well-known actors as “special ambassadors” to Hollywood in January 2025, it sparked a flurry of questions. Typically, ambassadors are assigned to foreign countries, not a neighborhood in California, leaving many uncertain about the specifics of the role. Nearly two years later, the Stallone ambassadorship is back in the spotlight due to the actor’s recent comments on how it all began.

Trump made the announcement via Truth Social, naming Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as envoys tasked with reclaiming business that he claimed Hollywood had lost to overseas markets. He referred to the trio as his eyes and ears, promising a new golden era for the industry. However, the role was never clearly defined, and the official responsibilities have remained ambiguous since then.

Stallone has now shared his perspective on the appointment in a recent interview with The Sunday Times, revealing a narrative that differs from what many anticipated. The 80-year-old actor stated that he never consented to the position and conveyed to Trump that the idea was unfeasible. According to Deadline, which covered the interview, he mentioned that he would have declined the offer had he been approached initially.

Stallone recounted discovering the announcement while watching television, where he saw the news that he, Gibson, and Voight would take on the role. This aligns with other reports from that time, as Gibson also noted he learned about it simultaneously with the public, and Fox News described Stallone as surprised as well.

During the conversation with The Sunday Times, Stallone elaborated on his reservations. He likened Hollywood to a collection of distinct territories, each governed by its own ruler, arguing that an outsider cannot simply walk in and dictate how six major studios should operate. He emphasized that he, Gibson, and Voight are independent individuals who prefer to do things their own way, suggesting that the plan was destined to fail.

He also mentioned that he expressed his concerns to Trump and politely distanced himself from the idea. Stallone characterized Hollywood as a corporate environment that will evolve on its own and expressed doubt that studio executives would seek his financial advice. This candid perspective comes from a star who has spent over 50 years in the industry.

Stallone’s recent comments contrast with his previous remarks about the role last year. In a September 2025 interview with The Globe and Mail, he discussed his passion for filming in the United States, noting that productions used to remain local, whereas now they often relocate to countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

Even then, he seemed uncertain about practical solutions. He acknowledged that substantial government subsidies might benefit emerging filmmakers but could disrupt other unions, describing the situation as a real catch-22. This perspective aligns with his more recent skepticism about whether one ambassador could effect any meaningful change.

Stallone has been a prominent supporter of Trump, endorsing him late in the 2024 campaign and introducing him at the America First Policy Institute gala in November of that year, calling him the second George Washington. In December 2025, Stallone received a Kennedy Center Honor alongside Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, Kiss, and Michael Crawford.

The other two ambassadors have also been vocal supporters. Voight remarked at the time that Hollywood had declined and expressed hope that Trump’s assistance could restore its former glory. Reports from 2025 noted that the group reflected Trump’s interest in stars from the 1980s and 1990s.

While the ambassadorship remains ambiguous, Stallone’s career continues to thrive. He stars in ‘Tulsa King,’ which has been renewed for a fourth season, and a film about the making of ‘Rocky,’ titled ‘I Play Rocky,’ is set to hit theaters in November, featuring Anthony Ippolito as the younger Stallone.

For now, Stallone’s interview adds an unexpected chapter to one of the more peculiar Hollywood-meets-Washington narratives of the past two years. It also prompts the question of what the three ambassadors have accomplished since the announcement, with Stallone’s response indicating that the plan was never viable.

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