Donald Trump’s reelection campaign dismissed “The Apprentice,” a movie about the former U.S. president in the 1980s, as “pure fiction” and threatened legal action after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Director Ali Abbasi has offered to screen the film privately for Trump.
Following its debut in Cannes on Monday, a Trump campaign representative, Steven Cheung, announced plans to sue the filmmakers for spreading false information. Cheung stated, “This film is full of lies that have already been proven false.”
“The Apprentice” features Sebastian Stan as Trump and explores his relationship with Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. Cohn, a prominent defense attorney, was closely associated with the Senate investigations led by Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s.
Abbasi responded to the Trump campaign’s statement in Cannes by suggesting that a meeting and discussion with Trump could be arranged to address any concerns. He expressed, “I don’t think this movie would necessarily be disliked by him. It might surprise him. I am willing to screen the film and have a conversation if anyone from the Trump campaign is interested.”
The film portrays Cohn as a significant influence on Trump’s career, providing guidance in navigating the complexities of New York City politics and business. The depiction of their relationship is portrayed as a pivotal factor in Trump’s trajectory as a businessman and politician.
In light of sensitive scenes in the movie, including one depicting Trump allegedly raping his wife, “The Apprentice” has the potential to make an impact in the current U.S. presidential election climate. While the film is available for purchase at Cannes, a release date has not been set.
Abbasi concluded the premiere by emphasizing the need for politically relevant cinema in tumultuous times, pointing to ongoing global conflicts as a backdrop for his film’s message. The screening occurred concurrently with Trump’s hush money trial in New York.
