Trump's plans to control films that can be seen in the USA and what can be taught in US universities are all about full-on thought control - a classic fascist propaganda aim.
This is the audio version:
This is the transcript:
Trump wants to stop the people of the USA from thinking.
Why do I say that? For two reasons.
The first is that he is proposing a 100% tariff on films made outside the USA because they are apparently a threat to national security. And secondly, because we know that he is waging war on universities in the USA.
Let's just stand back for a moment and look at those two issues and think about what this means.
We aren't sure what Trump means when he has said that there ought to be tariffs on all films made outside the USA because they're a threat to national security, because I don't think he knew what he meant either.
And the White House has already stepped back a bit, but what does seem to be clear is that this tariff is a part of his agenda that is intended to sanitise those ideas that might be available to people in the USA, which are the basis on which thought can be created.
I don't believe that Trump will end up imposing tariffs on films made by Marvel, and Disney, and whoever else it might be that films outside the USA because locations are available in other places. I think that's very unlikely.
What I do think Trump is targeting are the films like those from independent producers, from arts houses, and which tend to be decidedly provocative in their style.
Trump will think those are left-wing.
Trump will think those are trying to promote ideas that he and his cohort do not like.
Trump is trying to make sure that those films will not be available in the USA by basically pricing them out of the market.
Let's just imagine what he's doing here.
First of all, he's trying to divide opinion in the US by making this statement that these films are a threat to national security.
He's saying that America is good and the rest of the world is bad. At a very basic level, he's sending out the message that tribal nationalism is something that he believes in, and that, of course, is at the core of the fascist agenda.
Secondly, he's sending out a message about trustworthiness. He's saying only films that are approved of by the administration should be considered to be reliable sources of information. Everything else is not. This is part of a propaganda war.
The third component in this attack on foreign films is part of the creation of an agenda that will treat people as 'other' in the USA. And this term 'other' is really important in thinking around fascism, because all fascists try to create the idea that some groups in society are outsiders. In other words, they are the 'other'. And what Trump is trying to suggest by imposing this tariff is that the creators of foreign films are threats to national security because they are 'others'. In other words, they promote ideas that he does not like, whether that be around diversity, whether that be around inclusion, whether that be around equity, whether that be around gay rights, whatever it might be.
He does not want those ideas in the USA, and he does not want the normalisation that very many mainstream films have over recent decades provided for these agendas because Hollywood has bought those ideas, lock, stock, and barrel in most cases, and he hates that.
So, yes, he is threatening the American film industry by this threat of a tariff, but he is very much more threatening the right of people to hear films that endorse their worldview. Trump and his cohort claim that they are interested in free speech. Of course, that is not true. They are absolutely committed to reducing the right of people to hear views that they do not like, and this tariff is trying to price out of the market, for the time being, those views that they don't like before, I suspect, in due course, they will ban them altogether.
And we are seeing this agenda happening in universities in the USA as well.
We know about Trump taking on people like Harvard.
We know about him taking on all the Ivy League universities, with whom he has a very strained relationship, even though, technically, he's a graduate of one.
What we are now seeing is that the attack on universities is spreading. The Ivy League universities are privately owned institutions, and so they can stand up and say to Trump, 'get lost', because first of all, they have massive financial wealth of their own, and secondly, their students basically pay for themselves. But that is not true of all universities in the USA. There are very large numbers of universities in the USA which are state-funded, and in this sense, I mean the individual states of the USA.
So, for example, Texas has sixteen state universities within its area and the Texas government is trying to pass laws which will regulate what might happen inside Texan universities. In effect, they are trying to take control of those universities so that they decide who can work in them, what courses may be taught in them, what subjects are unacceptable in them, what materials are not allowed to be included in the curriculum, and so on.
They are saying that their objective is to ensure that students are taught how to think and not what to think, but the very clear subtext is that they do not accept that it is appropriate for anything other than right-wing thoughts to be promoted inside a Texan university.
Now, as a matter of fact, universities all over the world tend to be left of centre, and the reason why universities all over the world tend to be left of center is because intellectuals tend to be as well, because they spend a lot of time thinking about such things as justice and equity, and come to the conclusion that actually these things are good for society, and are good for intellectual development, and are good for the discourse that takes place in universities, and are the basis on which innovation, which is what universities are all about, takes place.
But that is not what the Texan authorities think. They believe that market rigour is what provides the foundation of society and only market rigour should be taught in these universities, and therefore, they would wish to seek to ensure that anything that is left or centre is actually eliminated from the curricula of Texan universities.
This, of course, is once more about creating an 'other', the 'other' being left-wing thought.
And at the same time, it's also about a complete restriction on the freedom of speech, which is protected in the US Constitution by the First Amendment.
They're saying that freedom will not exist.
They're saying that somebody who wishes to breach it by teaching using materials that they do not approve of will lose their job.
They are saying that ideas come with a ranking attached to them, and those which are left-wing have a low rank, and may not be taught.
This is quite literally thought control within the Texan university system, and if Texas does put this in place - and there is absolutely nothing to prevent it doing so, because every tier of the Texan government is controlled by Republicans - then we are going to see this contagion spread right across the university network of the USA, at least in Republican states.
And that is immensely dangerous because these two ideas - tariffs on films and control of university teaching - are part of the fascist agenda that I believe Trump is promoting.
Fascists hate intellectuals.
Fascists hate people who can think because they question.
Fascists want people who are automatons - people who will produce for them, and fuel their profits, and who will consume for them, therefore, buying the goods that they are presented with without questioning whether there is a right or wrong to the process involved. This is what the fascist agenda demands.
So, what Trump is trying to do, and what his cohort is trying to do is to control the ability of the US population to think by literally denying them the right to access thoughts other than those which are promoted by the right-wing in that country.
This is what the intellectual takeover of a country looks like.
This is what fascism looks like, and it's coming to the USA.
How long will it be before we see intellectuals, teachers, and others pouring out of that country, trying to secure their freedom by leaving it, and coming to Europe?
How long will it be before we see the backlash in Europe to those people coming, because remember that the last time this happened was in 1933 when Jews who could still leave Nazi Germany did try to do so, and papers like the Daily Mail in the UK were exceedingly antagonistic to their arrival in this country?
And how long is it before this idea, sweeping right across the USA now, will be incorporated into the UK?
Remember that Reform has in its policy programme a requirement that UK schools should teach a pro-English agenda, that empire was good, that there were no problems with slavery, that we have a hierarchy of power that works, that capitalism is the answer to all questions. This is their belief about what should be taught in schools in this country, and that is no different from what the Texan authorities are going to demand be taught in their universities.
Thought control is a fundamental part of the far-right agenda. We need to be aware of it. We need to react to it. We need to say no to it. Because if we don't, fascism will be on our doorstep sooner than we think.
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What makes me laugh so bitterly about all of this is that this Orwellian future has been brought to us by a phenomenon called capitalism not communism or socialism. And it capitalism that has and is fueling the corruption that sustains the political power to deliver this.
Both soviet style communism and capitalism have risen on a promise of freedom – but that concept of freedom is very subjective indeed and is the freedom of the few packaged as obtainable by the many but becoming more and more less so in reality.
In the end it seems, any political ideology can fall victim to being hijacked by greed for power and wealth.
Much to agree with
A powerful statement that I agree with. Can I add the observation that for some years now there has been an attack on books, especially in schools and public libraries? I don’t think the USA has arrived at the point of public bonfires, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they arrive soon. There have been some fairly well publicised programs recently in Florida and Texas but the movement goes back many years, notably with complaints about teaching evolution not creationism. But since Trump 1, the pace and scope has accelerated to include climate change (and science in general), sex education, non-WASP history.
It’s all of a piece with what Trump is doing, and I think it shows that he is working on fertile ground.
I am very worried about new about books, as I am an avid reader mainly of science fiction, fantasy, some 10,000 paperback books and 15,000 e-books, I suppose I have read at least 75% of them and most of my favorite authors are American. I also have a relatively smaller collection of technical books. I am looking forward to receiving the latest novel, number 18, of the series. It helps that I am a speed reader and I once read the Lord of the Rings (900 pages) in 9 hours with one comfort break.
Richard don’t worry about being too wordy.
🙂
There was a good article in The Guardian the other day pointing out that tariffs on non-US movies would devastate… US movies. Why? Because the real problem facing the movie industry is streaming – and tariffs on movies would simply drive more straight-to-streaming, creating even more competition. Tariffs on the streamers then ? – but most of those operating in America are American, and in any case sell packages, not individual films.
Either way, it’s US companies that take most of the hit.
Whether I like it or not, and I don’t, I have family members who are S.N.P voters, Independence supporters, and yet are steadfastly opposed to immigrants, in particular non whites, who in their eyes, are coming here with some grand plan to subvert our way of life. Even with the evidence before them, my wife has personal care at home, and the fact that all the care assistants are either African, or from the Indian sub continent, and that my wife would have to be in residential care if they weren’t here, but that fact doesn’t resonate with them. While this is not a representative sample, it seems that this view persists with a least some people in Scotland, if the opinion pools are correct, who intend to vote for Reform next year, and possibly have them win seats in the Scottish Parliament. So while this is perhaps not on a par with the U.S.A, or indeed England, is this proof that racism is still a problem in my country?
It is
Racism is a perennial problem, like bindweed
We do something similar in the UK. Ask Platform Films or Ken Loach or any venue trying to put on a film about the genocide in Palestine in a village hall.
Or consider the BBC pulling its documentary on a child’s view on life in Gaza recently.
We had a refusal to allow a film (about Jeremy Corbyn’s time as leader and the shenanigans that went on) to be shown in a Community Centre, under a Labour controlled authority a couple of years ago. Initially, we were very welcome to put the film on, but as soon as the powers that be found out, no chance. It’s been happening under Starmer for so e time.
That is disgusting. What local authority was it? And what reason did they give? It sounds like the kind of authoritarian censorship going on under Trump.
David. We managed to get the film screened by using a community centre attached to a church. The Labour Party tentacles did not reach that far, fortunately.
Thank you, for this, nothing in BBC of note about this. Just whoopydoo noise about the hormone beef US trade deal.
Since education is devolved, how will this work without attacking devolution, unless of course Reform win in Scotland?
Reform plan to moralise children’s thoughts and feelings toward patriotic beliefs about UK.
Reform Education Planned Policy (from School Week.)
‘History and social science curriculum to be reviewed and audited regularly to ensure balance as “our children must be taught about their heritage”.
Ban transgender ideology in schools. This includes “no gender questioning, social transitioning or pronoun swapping” and informing parents of under 16s “about their children’s life decisions”.
Schools must have single sex facilities.
Hand private schools a tax relief of 20 per cent, with no VAT on fees. If parents can “afford to pay a bit more, we should incentivise them to choose independent schools” as it will “significantly ease pressure on state schools and improve education for all”.
Restrict university undergraduate numbers “well below current levels, too many courses are not good enough and students are being ripped off”. Also a pledge for universities to provide the option of two-year undergraduate courses. It’s not clear whether it applies to teacher training courses.
Double the number of pupil referral units so that schools “can function safely”, with “best practice spread across PRUs”. This is pledged under the header “permanent exclusions for violent and disruptive students”.
There is no plan that I can see to eradicate child poverty or house children’s families with decent affordable non market homes. It’s just more freedom and de regulation for big 6 developers.
Thank you
Of course academies don’t have to follow the national curriculum or their local authority advice. Maybe Fa***e hasn’t twigged that.
He’ll need to be PM to change the legislation, unless Starmer does it for him first.
I don’t like to believe so, but I fear you are right about the fascist developments by the Trump administration. I think Trump is personally an objectionable human being, with all the unpleasant trends-a bully, a narcissist, an authoritarian-but I believe his administration is carrying out a plan far more sophisticated than Trump’s own political thinking: it is Project 2025 writ large.
Critical thinking is the kryptonite to fascism. When manipulation and conspiracy theories are the tools you to control your supporter all ‘improper ideology’ that might educate minds must be removed.
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Aristotle
“We aren’t sure what Trump means when he has said that there ought to be tariffs on all films made outside the USA because they’re a threat to national security, because I don’t think he knew what he meant either.”
This is nothing but red-meat to his voting base in the Midwest and Rustbelt who disdain the fact that people in Hollywood make $20 million per film. These MADAts really believe that everyone in Hollywood associated with the film industry make $20 million per film. What really shows Trump ignorance is that offshore TV production is consumed by more Yanks that offshore foreign films?
Is Downton Abbey Miss Austen, Silent Witness, Shakespeare & Hathaway, Shetland, Vera, Agatha Raisin and Wolf Hall foreign productions? Yes!
Is Star Wars, shot at Pinewood Studios Pinewood Road, Iver, Buckinghamshire, England, a foreign production? I really do not think so! I mean the whole US film crew just relocated to Buckinghamshire England for two years!
Trump does not know what he will say before he makes a speech. Trump does not know what he is talking about as he speaks. Trump has no idea what he said in a speech when he sits down.
Everything Trump does and says is for no other purpose than to keep him front and center with all the attention directly on himself.
Much to agree with
I work in VFX / post production, and there is a triumphant note from our American colleagues, particularly those based in LA which has been on its knees for a while. The tariff proposals are structured in a way to subvert the tax or cash incentives offered by foreign countries, and bring VFX work back to US post houses. Practically speaking, I doubt they have enough local talent to deliver on all of the work required, particularly with VFX heavy and notoriously exploitative Marvel productions. I’m also not sure they can entice high level VFX supervisors from other first world countries to immigrate and cover without extremely high salaries, but we’ll see, I suppose.
Another thing to watch out for will be companies operating with no safety net who have made big investments in foreign offices in places like Brazil or India to do routine work at much lower wages. How will this be affected by the tariff structure? Will we see companies that bet big go to the wall?
What really struck me is the tone, that foreign post houses had been ‘stealing’ the work, that it was necessary to bring LA back from the dead, etc. I think this is the outpouring of increased economic pressure in a sector that has always been overworked and exploited. There is basically no union representation in the industry, and both salaried and freelance workers are routinely abused. Ugly all round.
@Dr David Lowry
https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/05/10/trump-wants-to-stop-people-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-1019828
It’s a long story!
This happened all over the country at numerous venues. It’s happening again now with “Censoring Palestine”.
Check out the story here:
https://skwawkbox.org/2025/03/14/secret-censors-censoring-film-about-palestine-censorship-says-films-producer/
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/censoring-palestine-film-under-attack-from-secret-censors
I was and still am subscribed to Norman Thomas’s emails about “Censoring Palestine” (& “The Big Lie”, on the anti-Corbyn smear campaign, a year or two ago), and venue cancellations were a routine matter. Eventually, venue locations had to be kept secret with ticket holders being informed at the last minute to prevent the complaints/pressure being applied.
It proved similarly difficult to sustain online copies and links to Al-Jazeera’s “The Lobby” and “The Labour Files”.
These things don’t shock me anymore, which is quite shocking in itself.