"The Apprentice," a new biopic on former US President Donald Trump, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, generating immediate controversy and threats of legal action from Trump's team. As Trump prepares for another presidential run, the film's depiction of him has sparked outrage
Starring Sebastian Stan as a young Trump and Jeremy Strong as his mentor Roy Cohn, "The Apprentice" explores Trump's rise as a property developer in 1970s and 1980s New York. The film opens with a disclaimer stating that many events are fictionalized.
One of the most contentious scenes portrays Trump raping his first wife, Ivana, based on an accusation she made during their divorce proceedings, which she later recanted. Ivana Trump passed away in 2022. Another scene that shocked the Cannes audience shows Trump undergoing liposuction surgery.
Directed by Ali Abbasi, the film presents Trump as a headstrong but naive social climber, whose decency erodes as he delves deeper into politics and power. Despite the controversial portrayal, the movie received positive reviews. The Times of London suggested the film could evoke sympathy for Trump, while Variety described it as "sharp and scathing" yet avoiding cheap shots.
Trump's team has vehemently denied the film's assertions. Campaign communications director Steven Cheung announced plans for a lawsuit, condemning the film as "pure fiction" and "sensationalized lies." Cheung told AFP, “This garbage is pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked.”
The biopic's debut comes as Trump faces legal challenges, including a trial in Manhattan over a hush money scandal involving porn star Stormy Daniels. Despite the legal threats, "The Apprentice" has made a significant impact at Cannes, drawing attention to the complexities of Trump's character and legacy.
