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It sounds as though Gov. Gavin Newsom is just as confused as the rest of the world over the logistics behind President Donald Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign films — but he isn’t about to let that interfere with his plans for Hollywood.

“Governor Newsom continues to champion California’s iconic film and television industry — recognizing it as a cornerstone of the state’s economy, one that sustains hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs across every sector around the state,” his spokesperson told TheWrap. “His plan to more than double the state’s film and television tax credit reflects a commitment to keeping production here at home, supporting workers and maintaining California’s global leadership in entertainment.”

“If the President announces a proposal with more details, we will review it,” his office’s Monday statement further noted.

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The update came a day after President Trump said he authorized the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to “immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% tariff on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands.”

“The movie industry in America is dying a very fast death. Other countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated,” he wrote on Truth Social on Sunday. “This is a concerted effort by other nations and, therefore, a national security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”

The White House then caveated that message slightly on Monday, adding: “Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.”

Later on Monday, Trump then told reporters at the Oval Office, “I’m not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry … we’re going to meet with the industry. I want to make sure they’re happy with it, because we’re all about jobs.”

As for Newsom, he announced a proposal to expand California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually from $330 million back in October. The California Film Commission then revealed a record 51 films that were approved for the latest round of state tax credits in March.

An East Los Angeles restaurant is now serving a breakfast menu dedicated to one of the city’s oldest restaurants. East Los Tacos not only serves a limited number of dishes from the Original Pantry, but has also hired four of its former employees who lost their jobs when the Pantry closed on March 2.

East Los Tacos owner Erika Armenta had a final meal at the 101-year-old restaurant before it closed and spoke with a longtime server. First reported by NBC-4, Armenta eventually hired four Pantry employees, some of whom worked there for 25 years. “One of our friends suggested hiring them as cooks at our restaurant, since we were short-staffed,” Armenta tells Eater. “This sparked an idea. I wanted to meet with them and offer a job that would allow them to pursue their true passion, cooking what they loved most: breakfast meals.”

The East Los Pantry menu is available daily from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., with actual longtime Pantry cooks preparing the diner’s pancakes, sausages, and fried potatoes. On Saturday, April 26, East Los Tacos will host a fundraiser from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with all proceeds going toward its newest employees.

Tesla Diner & Drive-In update

Is Hollywood’s Tesla Diner & Drive-In close to opening yet? According to Teslarati, an X user recently visited the forthcoming diner, drive-in movie theater, and charging station, and noticed that the paving and construction appear complete. Once open, chef Eric Greenspan will lead the Tesla diner’s culinary charge.

A sad day for Pea Soup Andersens

Buelton’s longtime Central Coast restaurant, Pea Soup Andersens, closed in 2024. SF Gate reports that a developer has proposed demolition of the restaurant, envisioning a multi-use development on the property. The outlet reports that Pea Soup Andersen’s could eventually be reborn in the new development.

A 10-year-old’s op-ed on gentrification

Silver Lake resident Ezra Halkett penned an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times and spoke about the potential community impact of the closure of Say Cheese, a longtime cheese and sandwich shop.

Bingo night at Polly’s Pies

Each Wednesday, Polly’s Pies will host Bingo night at its Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Yorba Linda, and Moreno Valley locations. Seems like a solid way to eat pies, cinnamon rolls, and brownies while winning prizes.

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Gavin Newsom responded Donald Trump’s demand for steep tariffs on movies filmed outside the U.S. with a plea for the President to “partner” with him instead on a proposed $7.5 billion federal tax credit for Hollywood.

The proposed tax incentive would be separate from the California state tax credits Newsom is trying to enact, including the proposal announced in October expand the state’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually. It is currently $330 million annually.

“America continues to be a film powerhouse, and California is all in to bring more production here. Building on our successful state program, we’re eager to partner with the Trump administration to further strengthen domestic production and Make America Film Again,” Newsom said in a statement Monday night.

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There is as of this writing no indication the Trump administration has any interest in Newsom’s proposal. But Trump insulted Newsom repeatedly during a press conference earlier Monday to discuss his proposed tariffs, blaming him personally for the decline of film and TV production in California.

Trump first called for the tariffs on Sunday, saying in a post on his Twitter clone Truth Social that he was authorizing the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to “immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% tariff on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands.”

Trump also described tax incentives and other tactics used by foreign countries to attract movie productions as “a national security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda.”