It started with a phone call. On a quiet November afternoon in 2025, President Donald J. Trump dialed Oracle Corporation CEO Lawrence Joseph Ellison — not to discuss cloud infrastructure or enterprise software, but to ask if the Paramount Global could bring back Rush Hour. The request, revealed in an exclusive report by Semafor, wasn’t casual small talk. It was a deliberate, personal push to reshape American pop culture through the lens of a 25-year-old buddy-cop comedy starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. And it’s just the tip of a much larger iceberg.
How a Billionaire’s Hollywood Power Play Became Trump’s Cultural Project
Ellison, 80, isn’t just a tech titan. His son David Ellison’s merger of Skydance Media with Paramount Global — headquartered in New York City — turned the elder Ellison into one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes figures in Hollywood. Now, with Paramount eyeing a takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent of New Line Cinema (which produced the original Rush Hour films), Trump’s wish could become reality. Not because of box office potential — though the franchise made nearly $1.2 billion globally — but because it fits a narrative.The Rush Hour films, directed by Brett Ratner, were more than action comedies. They were cultural artifacts: a Chinese-American partnership in a post-Cold War world, wrapped in flashy cars, over-the-top stunts, and punchlines that didn’t always land. But they also represented a kind of unapologetic, macho entertainment that Trump has long praised. "That’s the kind of movie we need more of," he reportedly told Ellison. "Not this slow, depressing stuff. Real heroes. Real energy."
The Ratner Connection: A Director With a Dark Past and a White House Link
The biggest hurdle? Brett Ratner. The 65-year-old director helmed all three Rush Hour films. But since multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017 — allegations he denies — Warner Bros. has severed ties. His return would be toxic to modern audiences and studios trying to rebuild trust.Yet here’s the twist: Ratner directed Melania, a $40 million documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, produced by Amazon.com, Inc.. According to the New York Post, Melania earned at least $28 million from the deal. That’s not just a coincidence — it’s a bridge. Ratner’s presence in the Trump orbit, however uncomfortable, makes him a viable candidate for the reboot. And Trump’s team doesn’t seem to care about the controversy. "He’s a great director," one insider said. "The past doesn’t matter if the product works."
More Than Just Rush Hour: Trump’s 1990s Movie Manifesto
The Rush Hour request wasn’t isolated. Trump has also pushed Ellison to revive Bloodsport, the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme martial arts film. He’s reportedly fascinated by the era — late 80s to late 90s — when action movies didn’t apologize for being loud, dumb, or gloriously excessive. "He wants explosions. Car chases. Guys who don’t ask permission," said film producer Dallas Sonnier, founder of Sonnier & Company. "Think of it as patriotism with a soundtrack."Meanwhile, producer Arthur Sarkissian, who worked on all three Rush Hour films, has his own Trump connection: his company produced The Man You Don’t Know, a 2024 documentary that premiered at Mar-a-Lago and portrays Trump as a misunderstood visionary. Sarkissian’s presence in this ecosystem isn’t accidental. It’s part of a deliberate network — one that ties entertainment, politics, and personal loyalty into a single, powerful web.
Who’s Affected? And What Does This Mean for CNN?
This isn’t just about movies. According to Semafor, Trump’s team has floated the idea of pressuring Paramount Global to fire CNN anchors he dislikes — a move that would blur the line between media ownership and political retaliation. If Paramount acquires Warner Bros. Discovery, and Trump gains influence over content decisions, the implications stretch far beyond cinema. It could mean a shift in how news is framed, how heroes are portrayed, and who gets to tell stories in America.Neither the White House nor Paramount Global have commented. But the silence speaks volumes. When a president starts dictating film franchises, the culture changes. And it’s not just about entertainment — it’s about identity.
Why This Matters Now
Jackie Chan, after Trump’s 2016 win, said: "Just give him a chance." Chris Tucker, in a 2018 interview, hoped Trump would "be successful." Their comments weren’t endorsements — but they weren’t resistance, either. And that’s the quiet power of this strategy: it doesn’t demand loyalty. It just waits for it.What’s happening here isn’t just a reboot of a movie. It’s a reclamation of a cultural moment — one where masculinity was unapologetic, where heroes didn’t question their purpose, and where entertainment didn’t need to be woke to be profitable. Trump sees that era as America’s golden age. And now, with a billionaire’s backing and a director tied to his wife, he might just get it back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lawrence Ellison involved in Hollywood, and how does he have influence over Paramount Global?
Lawrence Ellison, the 80-year-old co-founder of Oracle, gained major influence in Hollywood after his son David Ellison’s Skydance Media merged with Paramount Global in 2025. The deal gave Ellison a substantial ownership stake, making him one of the most powerful shareholders. With Paramount now pursuing Warner Bros. Discovery, Ellison holds leverage over major studios, film libraries, and distribution channels — giving him the clout to greenlight projects like a Rush Hour reboot.
What role does Brett Ratner play in this, and why is his involvement controversial?
Ratner directed all three Rush Hour films and is the only director with the institutional knowledge to revive the franchise. But since 2017, he’s faced over a dozen allegations of sexual misconduct, leading Warner Bros. to cut ties. His connection to Melania Trump through the $40 million documentary Melania may override those concerns for Trump’s team — but it could alienate audiences and talent, making the reboot risky.
How have Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker responded to Trump, and does that matter for a reboot?
Chan publicly urged Americans to "give him a chance" after Trump’s 2016 election, while Tucker told Piers Morgan in 2018 he hoped Trump would "be successful." Neither has endorsed him outright, but their mild, non-confrontational responses create a veneer of bipartisan appeal. For Trump’s team, that’s enough — it signals the franchise isn’t politically toxic, which could help attract international audiences and avoid boycotts.
Could this lead to Trump influencing CNN’s on-air talent?
Yes — and that’s the most alarming part. According to Semafor, Trump’s team has discussed pressuring Paramount Global to remove CNN anchors he dislikes if the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery goes through. Since Paramount owns CNN, and Trump’s allies would likely gain board influence, this could turn a media company into a political tool — a precedent that would fundamentally change the relationship between entertainment conglomerates and free press.
What other 90s franchises is Trump interested in reviving?
Beyond Rush Hour, Trump has reportedly pushed for a reboot of Bloodsport (1988), starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. He’s also shown interest in other late-80s/90s action films — think Die Hard, Top Gun, and Speed. His goal isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake; it’s to revive a cinematic style he associates with American strength: bold, physical, unapologetically masculine, and free of what he calls "political correctness."
Is there any chance this reboot actually happens?
It’s possible, but far from guaranteed. Even with Trump’s pressure and Ellison’s influence, studios are wary of Ratner’s reputation. Cast members like Chan and Tucker are in their 60s — aging out of the roles. And audiences today demand diversity and accountability. A reboot would need a new director, a fresh take, and careful PR. Without those, it could flop — or worse, become a symbol of cultural regression.
