Kristen Stewart, the acclaimed actress and director, has revealed her intention to leave the United States in favor of making films overseas, citing the evolving challenges of Hollywood during Donald Trump’s presidency. Reflecting on the atmosphere under Trump’s administration, Stewart expressed frustration with the restrictions she perceives within the American film industry, particularly amid the fallout from the Robert Pattinson cheating scandal that attracted significant public attention years earlier.
Directorial Debut Abroad Highlights Barriers Within US Film Industry
Stewart, 35, recently completed her directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir which delves into themes of abuse and addiction. She chose to film in Latvia, believing it impossible to realize the project in the United States. Stewart emphasized that shooting abroad was a necessity given current conditions, especially as the US government under Trump had threatened severe measures against films produced outside the country, including a 100% tariff, categorizing them as national security risks.
Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on Film Production and Stewart’s Career Decisions
The imposition of these tariffs, announced last year, poses a direct obstacle to international production efforts, unsettling filmmakers who often rely on cross-border collaboration. Kristen called the prospect of these tariffs “terrifying” and predicted such policies would compel her and others to relocate abroad to continue their creative work. Currently dividing her time between Los Angeles and New York, Stewart candidly stated she no longer finds freedom to work within the US film industry.
Still, she made clear that she does not want to sever ties completely with American audiences, expressing a desire to make films abroad that could then be presented back to the US market.
“I’d like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people,”
Stewart declared, underscoring her defiance and determination despite the political climate.
Revisiting the Trump-Stewart Feud During the 2012 Cheating Scandal
Stewart’s deteriorating relationship with the US political climate is not new. In 2012, long before Donald Trump’s presidential rise, the then-businessman took to X (formerly Twitter) to publicly criticize her amid the Robert Pattinson cheating scandal. The scandal erupted when Stewart was involved in an affair with Rupert Sanders, the director of Snow White and the Huntsman, while in a relationship with Pattinson, her co-star from the Twilight saga.
Trump’s response was scathing and relentless. He declared in a series of tweets that Pattinson “should not take back” Stewart, comparing her to a “dog” and predicting she would cheat again.
“Robert Pattinson should not take back. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again–just watch. He can do much better!”
Trump tweeted.
His tirade continued, urging Pattinson to end the relationship for good:
“Everyone knows I am right that Robert Pattinson should dump Kristen Stewart. In a couple of years, he will thank me. Be smart, Robert.”
His public commentary provided a harsh backdrop to Stewart’s personal turmoil at the time.
Kristen’s Reflection on Trump’s Obsessive Attacks
Years later, Stewart has denounced Trump’s attacks as irrational and “insane.” Speaking to Variety at the Sundance Film Festival on the day of Trump’s inauguration, she said,
“He was mad at me a couple years ago, really obsessed with me a couple years ago, which is f***ing crazy. What? I can’t even understand it. I literally cannot even understand it. It’s such far-out concept that I don’t want to believe that actually is happening. It’s insane.”
She noted that at the time, Trump was still primarily a reality star and businessman, without the political prominence he later achieved.
“At that point, he was just, like, a reality star. I had no reference. It wasn’t like really a thing. But in retrospect, somebody reminded me of that and I was like, Oh my gosh, you’re right!”
Humorous Take on Past Clashes During SNL Hosting
Kristen later addressed this strange history with Trump during her 2017 appearance as host on Saturday Night Live. While reading some of Trump’s tweets concerning the cheating scandal aloud, she joked,
“I don’t think Donald Trump hated me. I think he’s in love with my boyfriend.”
She concluded with a bold remark:
“Donald, if you didn’t like me then, you’re probably really not going to like me now because I’m hosting SNL and I’m, like, so gay, dude.”
Personal Life and New Ventures Post-Scandal
Beyond her cinematic and political challenges, Stewart’s personal life has also evolved. In April 2023, she married Dylan Meyer in a private ceremony at Casita Del Campo, a Mexican restaurant, after six years of dating. The couple initially met in 2013 while working on the set of American Ultra, an action comedy directed by Nima Nourizadeh.
Stewart and Meyer, who is 38, broadened their creative pursuits in 2023 by co-founding Nevermind Pictures, a production company, alongside Maggie Mclean. This new venture reflects their commitment to shaping the kind of stories they want to tell, potentially outside the increasingly restrictive environment of the US film industry.
Changing Realities of Hollywood and the Fight for Creative Freedom
Stewart has been outspoken about the broader implications of Trump’s tenure on Hollywood and artistic expression. She described the current reality as “breaking completely under Trump,” but urged others to take inspiration from his unconventional approach.
“We should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in,”
she said, signaling her hope to foster change despite the obstacles.
Her experiences and ambitions underscore the tensions between political figures like Donald Trump and creatives in the US, illustrating how industry professionals are increasingly considering relocation to preserve their freedom to create. The intersection of Stewart’s personal trials, public controversies, and professional challenges epitomizes the difficulties many artists face navigating the American entertainment landscape today.
