What Hollywood Can Do To Fight The Trump Administration

Hollywood and politics have a lot on common. Both have too much focus on star power and celebrity. Both industries can get caught up in their own hype and the lives of celebrities and politicians can often be worlds removed from the rest of America. But while most politicians know they can't have much impact on Hollywood, show business types are often frustrated because their power doesn't extend into Washington.

Granted, moguls such as the Murdoch clan or other media company owners can use their power and money to impact public policy. But even the most important movie star or TV showrunner never gets much past the "watch me tweet out this snarky comment" phase. Part of the problem is a lack of time to devote to political change. But it also gets down to the industry understanding its limitations and strengths. By doing that, it is possible to move political mountains.

All of this is especially important as we move closer to the official start of the Trump presidency. It isn't just that he seems focused on rolling back every social and political change since the FDR administration. Donald Trump also seems immune to public criticism or economic pressure. How do you push back against a man who is simultaneously arrogant and intellectually lazy? And specifically, how can people in Hollywood most efficiently  leverage their money and celebrity to thwart the Trump Administration's efforts to roll back nearly every social and economic gain we've made in the past fifty years?

If you work in the entertainment industry and you'd like to do something more substantial than moaning about today's news on social media, here are five substantial ways to effect change over the next four years. It's easy to get caught up in the outrage of the day. But if you want to win the war, it's time to adopt some of the techniques used by the people who helped Donald Trump become president.

1) Educate Yourself And Make Some Calls
One of the most effective ways to get the attention of legislators is to contact them by phone or snail mail. No emails, no phony online petitions. Pick a piece of legislation that matters to you and make some calls. A good place to start is by subscribing to the re:act newsletter. Each week, the newsletter recaps some important proposals or committee hearings and provides concrete info on who to contact and what to say. Click Here to subscribe to the free newsletter.

2) Give Money Strategically
Conservatives have built an entire infrastructure of like-minded media outlets and pundits who spend their entire working day trying to push their agenda. Billionaire businessmen have donated hundreds of millions to candidates, but they've been most successful creating an entire industry of journalists writing conservative blogs and creating shareable memes. Don't donate your head-earned money to the Democratic Party or to some well-known PAC. Use your money in a more strategic fashion. Earmark money for candidates and local organizations back in your hometown. Find a blogger or struggling writer you admire and offer them some seed money so they can spend the next few months arguing the case on a full-time basis. Donate time and money to science organizations defunded by the Republican Congress. Support efforts to teach evolution in schools. Choose a food bank in some random rural area and donate some money. There are hundreds of ways you can have a direct impact on America without just tossing away $1,000 on some DNC fundraiser.

3) Use The Power Of Your Celebrity Locally
If you're an actor, director or writer with a bit of celebrity, the temptation is to use your fame to try and discuss important political issues during your regular workday. But while discussing climate change on "Conan" might make you feel better, you'll have as much impact on the topic as you would just stopping random people on the street. Where your celebrity can have an impact is locally.

Here's an example. You're the star of a modestly successful television show. Your comments about the dangers of "Fake News" during an interview in People Magazine won't accomplish anything. But making a personal appearance in a local community affected by a fake news story will get massive coverage in that town. And depending on the news day, it might even get picked up nationally. So maybe it's time to book a visit to the infamous D.C. "Pizzagate" restaurant "Comet Ping Pong."

4) Resist The Urge To 'Educate'
Let's be honest. Liberals do have a tendency to talk at people who disagree with us. We can be a bit arrogant, a touch elitist and more than a bit overbearing. We can't believe that people don't see the world as we do and we can come across as if we think anyone who doesn't agree with us is a moron. Your role isn't to teach anyone. It's to provide attention and funding to those people and institutions best suited to making the case for you.

This is just a quick rundown of the smallest steps we can all be taking over the next four years. If you have any suggestions or comments, share them by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; document.getElementById('cloak22202').innerHTML += ''+addy_text22202+'<\/a>'; //--> or follow me on Twitter at @aysrick.