A group of high-profile celebrities—many of whom have spent years publicly attacking President Donald Trump—are now seeking his help in blocking Big Tech’s push to weaken copyright protections for artists, writers, and musicians in the AI era.
The controversy centers on OpenAI and Google, both of which have argued that existing U.S. copyright law allows them to train AI systems using copyrighted material without the creators’ permission.
Next week, these companies will present their position in Washington, a move that has prompted a letter from a wide range of Hollywood figures urging Trump to take action.
Among the signatories are Ben Stiller, Olivia Wilde, Paul McCartney, Mark Ruffalo, Cate Blanchett, and Ron Howard. Their letter warns that allowing AI companies to train their models on copyrighted material without consent would “freely exploit America’s creative and knowledge industries, despite [OpenAI and Google’s] substantial revenues and available funds.”
“We firmly believe that America’s global AI leadership must not come at the expense of our essential creative industries,” the letter states, arguing that AI firms are undermining copyright protections for film, television, music, literature, and art to drive their own multi-billion-dollar valuations.
The appeal to Trump is notable given that many of these same figures have been some of his most vocal critics. Stiller previously called one of Trump’s press conferences “the worst message I have ever heard a president put out to the world.”
Wilde, in 2017, described him as a “pathetic, petulant, dishonest pig.” Ron Howard, in 2020, accused Trump of being a “self-serving, dishonest, morally bankrupt egomaniac.” Ruffalo, who signed the letter, has repeatedly claimed that Trump is “looting” the country alongside Elon Musk.
Yet, despite their history of hostility, these celebrities now find themselves appealing to an administration that has made AI a central priority. In January, Trump unveiled Stargate, a $500 billion initiative aimed at strengthening America’s artificial intelligence infrastructure. The project, which will create more than 100,000 jobs, will focus on building AI data centers in Texas and securing reliable electricity sources to power AI advancements.
Trump has emphasized the need to keep AI development within the United States, warning that China and other nations are aggressively competing in the field. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a key figure in the Stargate initiative, has touted AI’s potential in medical advancements, including improving patient care and developing new treatments.
