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The Apprentice Movie Paints a Complex Picture of Donald Trump’s Rise

The Apprentice movie portrays Donald Trump as a complex figure, showing his rise from New York developer to a dominant political force. With controversial scenes and political backlash, it humanizes the former president while exploring his darker side.

Illustration by Bill Kuchman/POLITICO (source images via Pief Wayman and iStock)

The much-anticipated film The Apprentice opens nationwide this Friday, portraying former President Donald Trump in a controversial light. The movie, directed by Ali Abbasi, explores Trump’s rise from a New York real estate developer to a dominant force in American politics. While the film doesn’t shy away from depicting Trump’s darker sides — showing him as a rapist, a liar, and a shady businessman — it also portrays him as a complex figure who loses his humanity over time, rather than someone born evil.

A Balanced Depiction or a Hit Piece?

Despite claims that The Apprentice is an election-season hit piece, Abbasi argues that the film is more about understanding Trump’s humanity. “It’s just a movie about a human being,” he said, defending his work. The director’s goal, he explained, was to show how Trump, under the influence of people like political fixer Roy Cohn, evolved from a striver into the controversial figure he is today. Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong deliver sensitive portrayals of Trump and Cohn’s mentor-mentee relationship, which is central to the film.

Hollywood and Politics React

Hollywood and Washington seem divided on the film’s portrayal. The movie received an eight-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, but securing distribution in the U.S. proved difficult. Major studios and streaming platforms initially distanced themselves from the project, wary of its political implications.

Trump supporters, including Mike Huckabee, have called for a boycott, accusing Hollywood of election interference. Trump’s team has been vocal about its displeasure with the film, with communications director Steven Cheung stating, “This is election interference by Hollywood elites right before November.”

Controversial Scenes and Real-Life Consequences

The film’s most controversial moment is a scene depicting the marital rape of Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump. The scene is based on allegations Ivana made during divorce proceedings, though she later downplayed the claim. Abbasi included the scene to address how societal views on marital rape have evolved.

Though The Apprentice doesn’t depict Trump as a born villain, it still delves into his deceitful actions. The movie shows Trump as he watches Cohn manipulate officials, betrays his family, and turns away his troubled brother. The film highlights how Trump’s blustery, belligerent style — now synonymous with his political persona — was shaped by these early experiences.

A Supervillain Origin Story?

Some have compared The Apprentice to supervillain origin stories like Joker, where viewers see the protagonist’s gradual descent into darkness. By humanizing Trump, the movie invites viewers to see him as a product of his environment, shaped by a corrupt system and influential figures like Cohn. As Abbasi puts it, “If you think he is a monster, then there is a monster in each and every one of us.”

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