Kristen Stewart has expressed plans to leave the United States, citing an inability to work freely under President Donald Trump's leadership. In a recent interview, the actress and director described reality as 'breaking completely' under Trump and intends to produce films in Europe instead. Her comments highlight growing concerns among Hollywood figures about the political climate.
Kristen Stewart, known for her roles in the 'Twilight' series and films like 'Snow White and the Huntsman' and 'Adventureland', shared her intentions in an interview with The Times of London. She stated she will 'probably not' remain in the US, explaining, 'I can't work freely there.' Stewart aims to direct movies in Europe and bring them back to American audiences, saying, 'I'd like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people.'
Her directorial debut, 'The Chronology of Water', was filmed in Latvia because, as she told Porter Magazine in 2024, it would have been 'impossible' in the States. She needed a 'radical detachment' in a 'fledgling film culture' there, having announced the project in 2018 at the Cannes Film Festival.
Stewart's concerns tie into Trump's proposed 100% tariff on films made outside the US, announced in September on Truth Social. Trump claimed the movie business has been 'stolen' from America, writing, 'Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing 'candy from a baby.'' California Governor Gavin Newsom's office called the idea '100% stupid', warning of 'irreparable damage' to the US film industry. The proposal has not advanced further.
This is not Stewart's first encounter with Trump. In 2012, during her relationship with co-star Robert Pattinson, Trump tweeted criticism of her amid a cheating scandal with director Rupert Sanders, urging Pattinson to 'dump' her. Stewart later called it 'fucking crazy' and 'insane' in a Variety interview.
She joins other celebrities distancing themselves from the US. Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell have left, while James Cameron, who relocated to New Zealand for the 'Avatar' franchise, praised its handling of the pandemic and said he prefers its 'sanity' over America's polarization. O'Donnell told Variety she has no plans to return until the administration ends and faces accountability.
Last month, Stewart criticized the entertainment industry as a 'capitalist hell' that marginalizes voices, calling for a 'full system break' and suggesting artists 'steal' movies in a more equitable setup.
