Donald Trump Revived a '90s Action-Movie Franchise by Himself, So I Decided to Rewatch the Originals. Yikes.

The cultural impact of Donald Trumps second term is becoming increasingly visible in Hollywood. While some figures, like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and CBS News, have faced challenges, others have benefitedamong them Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Recent reports reveal that Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, a known Trump supporter, is moving forward with a fourth Rush Hour film after the president personally encouraged Ellison to greenlight the project.

Matthew Belloni of Puck highlighted the unusual nature of this development, suggesting that Trump deserved an executive producer credit for making the movie happen. Belloni also commented on the potential for media influenced by the presidents tastes.

Several factors explain Trumps enthusiasm for the franchise. The Ellison family has strong business incentives to maintain Trumps favor, particularly as it seeks regulatory approval for acquisitions, including a potential Warner Bros. Discovery takeover. Reports even indicate Larry Ellison teased the White House about firing certain news anchors if he gained control over networks like CNN, following a precedent with CBS, owned by Paramount.

The return of the franchise also ties into Brett Ratner, the director of all three previous films. Ratner faced career setbacks after sexual misconduct allegations during the #MeToo movement but aligned himself with Trump by directing a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, reportedly sold to Amazon for $40 million.

For Trump, supporting Ratner might represent a cultural pardon and a reinforcement of his anti-woke stance. Beyond politics, there is an intriguing personal angle: the Rush Hour films themselves. Revisiting all three movies in a single day reveals why the franchise resonates with Trump. The series, spanning from 1998 to 2007, reflects outdated social norms and action-movie tropesaggressive policing, casual sexism, and crude humorthat align with Trumps tastes and sensibilities.

The original Rush Hour follows Jackie Chans Detective Inspector Lee as he teams up with Los Angeles cop James Carter (Chris Tucker) to rescue a kidnapped diplomats daughter from a Chinese crime syndicate. The chemistry between Lee and Carter drives the humor, even though it relies heavily on racial stereotypes. In the sequels, the pair face new international challenges in Hong Kong and France, strengthening their friendship but increasingly showcasing crude humor and sexist behavior.

Trumps fascination may be simple: the films combine action, comedy, and over-the-top male antics, a formula that mirrors his personal interests. The movies broad depictions of race, sexism, and law enforcement, along with juvenile punchlines, suggest why the franchise appeals to him personally and politically. Future installments like Rush Hour 4 could carry a similar cultural resonance, particularly if produced during Trumps administration.

Ultimately, the franchises return demonstrates more than Hollywoods business decisionsit highlights the presidents influence on culture and entertainment. In many ways, James Carter embodies aspects of Trumps personality: brash, self-centered, and unapologetically dominant. As Carter proclaims in the first film, This isnt a democracy! This is the United States of James Carter. Im the president. Im the emperor. Im the king.

Author: Sophia Brooks