A recent poll indicates that many California voters believe Hollywood has too much sway in politics. Conducted by UC Berkeley and POLITICO, the survey of 1,220 voters found 48% saying the entertainment industry exerts excessive influence. The findings come ahead of the 98th Academy Awards.
The UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, in partnership with POLITICO, surveyed 1,220 registered voters in California. Results revealed that 48% of respondents feel the entertainment industry has "too much influence on politics." Nearly half also expressed that directors, actors, and other Hollywood figures should "be less vocal with their political beliefs."
Additionally, 39% of voters indicated that Hollywood has a negative impact on American culture, while 47% described the industry as "too liberal."
These opinions surface just days before the 98th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event will be hosted by Conan O’Brien, who addressed the balance of entertainment and current events during a news conference. "My job is to always try and hit this very, very thin line between entertaining people and also acknowledging some of the realities," O’Brien said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
He noted that his monologue would undergo revisions up to the show to stay current with the news cycle. "It’s a dance that goes on up until the show begins," O’Brien added. Regarding tone, he said, "Between us, we will find the right tone," referring to the Oscars executive producers.
Security for the ceremony will be extensive, including 1,000 private guards, LAPD SWAT teams, bomb-sniffing dogs, and surveillance drones, as previously reported by The Daily Wire. The heightened measures reflect ongoing political tensions.
