Sylvester Stallone has revealed that he was appointed as a "special ambassador" to Hollywood by President Trump in January 2025, but claims he did not explicitly consent to the role. He discovered his appointment whilst watching television and stated he would have declined had he been asked beforehand. The revelation matters because it highlights the challenges of the political initiative to revitalise Hollywood's struggling film industry.

Stallone was one of three actors appointed alongside Mel Gibson and Jon Voight. Trump announced the appointment in January 2025 with the stated goal of bringing Hollywood "back—bigger, better, and stronger than ever before," claiming the industry had lost significant business to foreign countries over the preceding four years. Stallone expressed scepticism about the feasibility of the role, arguing that Hollywood operates as separate corporate kingdoms controlled by six major studios, and that such figures would be unwilling to accept guidance on financial matters. Despite these reservations, Stallone maintained warm feelings towards Trump, describing him as a "mythical character" and expressing admiration for his achievements.