SAG-AFTRA Supports Trump AI Framework for Performers

Fran Drescher Praises Trump AI Policy: "Protecting Human Creativity is Vital"

SAG-AFTRA officially backs the administration’s new AI framework, calling for federal legislation to stop unauthorized digital replicas and safeguard performer likenesses.

Sofia Chen

Mar 27, 2026, 2:08 AM PT · 1 min read

Fran Drescher — Photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

SAG-AFTRA endorsed the Trump administration's new AI policy framework on March 27, 2026.
President Fran Drescher emphasized the framework's focus on protecting human-centric creativity.
The policy calls for federal legislation to prevent unauthorized digital replica abuse.
National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland cited the need for performer consent.
The union represents 160,000 performers fighting for digital likeness protections.

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, SAG-AFTRA leadership officially endorsed the Trump administration’s new artificial intelligence policy framework. The union, which represents approximately 160,000 performers, stated that the plan is a critical step in defending human-centric creativity. President Sean Astin praised the administration for acknowledging the unique threats AI poses to the entertainment industry.

A core component of the framework is the push for new federal legislation to address the abuse of digital replicas. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director, noted that the union has long sought protections against unauthorized AI versions of performers’ voices and faces. The framework explicitly supports the need for informed consent and fair compensation whenever a performer’s digital identity is used in film or media.

The union’s support comes as Hollywood continues to grapple with the rapid integration of generative AI in major productions. By aligning with the federal framework, SAG-AFTRA aims to ensure that technology serves as a tool for artists rather than a replacement for them. The union remains committed to securing legal safeguards that prevent the exploitation of its members by tech companies and studios alike.