Brett Ratner, a film director who left Hollywood after being accused of sexual assault and whose name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files, is now traveling to China with President Donald Trump as part of the official U.S. delegation. According to sources, his reason for joining the trip is to scout filming locations for the upcoming movie Rush Hour 4.
Rush Hour 4 has been stuck in development for a long time, with major issues still unresolved, including unconfirmed filming locations and the fact that stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker have not yet signed contracts. Despite this, the project is moving forward, with Ratner leading the effort on the ground in China.
According to The Daily Beast, the U.S. delegation traveling to China also includes Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook, among others. The trip is expected to result in several business deals being announced between the U.S. and China.
Ratner’s road back to Hollywood is paved with serious controversy
Multiple women have accused Ratner of sexual assault, including actress Olivia Munn. The allegations caused Warner Bros. to cut ties with him, and he relocated to Israel in 2023. His name also appeared in the Epstein files, with an image showing him hugging Jean-Luc Brunel, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s associates who was accused of sex trafficking and other crimes.
Ratner’s return to the spotlight began with the documentary Melania, about First Lady Melania Trump. Amazon acquired the rights to the film for $40 million and spent $35 million marketing it. The documentary premiered in January 2026 but performed poorly, bringing in just over $16 million. Several crew members even asked to have their names removed from the credits.
Despite the film’s poor performance, Ratner went on to secure a role in Rush Hour 4, a much bigger and more anticipated project. He has credited Trump for helping him get back into the industry, calling it “divine intervention.”
The film is expected to begin shooting in China next year. This visit also comes at a tense time, as China has been invoking new laws to push back against U.S. blacklisting of its oil refineries in the weeks leading up to Trump’s Beijing visit. Trump and Ratner have a history together, having been seen publicly at events such as the premiere of Tower Heist in 2011.
Their current collaboration on Rush Hour 4 marks a notable reunion, especially given the circumstances surrounding Ratner’s fall from Hollywood. The political backdrop of the trip adds another layer of complexity, particularly as China’s top military commanders have gone missing from key meetings, raising questions among insiders ahead of the visit.
The news of Ratner joining the China trip as part of an official presidential delegation has drawn significant attention, given his past. Many in the film industry have questioned how he was able to attach himself to such a high-profile project after the serious accusations made against him.
Published: May 13, 2026 11:00 am