The Trump campaign has launched a fierce attack on the newly premiered film, The Apprentice, which portrays the early years of former President Donald Trump as a real estate mogul. The contentious biopic, starring Sebastian Stan as Trump, made its debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it garnered a thunderous eight-minute standing ovation from the audience.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, vehemently criticized the film in a statement to Variety, promising impending legal actions to counter what the campaign describes as gross misrepresentations. “We will be filing a lawsuit to address the blatantly false assertions from these pretend filmmakers,” Cheung asserted. He labeled the film as “pure fiction” and “malicious defamation,” suggesting it’s a deliberate attempt by Hollywood elites to meddle in the political arena. Cheung’s outraged statement further condemned the film’s portrayal of Trump, suggesting it “belongs in a dumpster fire” rather than any legitimate cinematic or distribution venue.
The backlash is not limited to Trump’s immediate circle. Dan Snyder, former owner of the Washington Commanders and a notable investor in The Apprentice, has similarly condemned the film’s depiction of Trump. Snyder, who has been a financial supporter of Trump in past campaigns, apparently invested in the project under the assumption that it would present a more favorable image of the former president. However, after screening the movie in February, Snyder’s legal team began efforts to block its release.
The Apprentice has sparked controversy with its depiction of Donald Trump, focusing on elements that have long been subjects of public rumor and intrigue but never verified publicly. The film features scenes of drug use, cosmetic surgery, and, most explosively, a controversial portrayal of an alleged nonconsensual sexual encounter with Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump. These scenes have been particularly incendiary, drawing significant ire from Trump supporters and amplifying calls for legal repercussions.
“All the way to the top of the Steps ✨ Jusqu’en haut des Marches!” tweeted one observer, highlighting the momentous premiere of The Apprentice at Cannes.
. The film’s cast and crew, including Sebastian Stan, director Ali Abbasi, writer and journalist Gabriel Sherman, and other notable actors like Jeremy Strong and Maria Bakalova, climbed the famed Cannes steps to considerable acclaim. Despite the controversy surrounding the film’s subject matter, there is no denying the buzz it has created within cinematic circles.
Ali Abbasi, acclaimed director of Holy Spider, helms the project, bringing his unique vision to the story of Trump’s rise in the competitive New York real estate market. Gabriel Sherman, a journalist known for his detailed reporting on Trump, penned the screenplay, adding a layer of journalistic scrutiny to the film’s narrative. Apart from Stan’s portrayal of Trump, the film also stars Jeremy Strong, renowned for his role in Succession, playing Trump’s lawyer Roy Cohn, and Maria Bakalova of Borat fame, who takes on the role of Ivana Trump.
As the film continues to evoke strong reactions, it also ignites a broader debate about Hollywood’s role in political discourse, especially with an election year approaching. Cheung’s comment about “election interference by Hollywood elites” reflects a recurring theme in Trump’s rhetoric: that of an alleged biased establishment working to undermine him and his campaigns.
Despite the Trump campaign’s threats of legal action, the film’s creators and supporters defend The Apprentice as a legitimate portrayal of Trump’s formative years, asserting its basis in widely reported events and behaviors attributed to the former president. They argue the film provides a critical lens on a powerful figure whose life and career have been mired in controversy.
For the cast and crew, the film represents more than just a controversial piece – it’s a bold statement on power, ambition, and the American Dream’s darker underbelly. For the Trump campaign and his supporters, however, it’s perceived as a defamatory attack that demands a legal response.
As the Cannes Film Festival continues, The Apprentice remains a focal point of heated discussion, raising questions about freedom of expression, the impact of cinema on public perception, and the boundaries between fact and fiction in the portrayal of public figures. The legal and cultural battles surrounding this film are likely to persist, ensuring that The Apprentice will be a touchstone in evaluating the intersection of politics and art for years to come.
