Donald Trump pens 1am screed against controversial biopic The Apprentice

Donald Trump expressed his anger in a social media post on Monday about a newly released biopic about him, labeling it a “cheap, defamatory, and politically repulsive attack” designed to undermine his run for president.

The Apprentice highlights how Trump built his real estate empire with the guidance of Roy Cohn, a fierce lawyer and influential figure in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s, according to Intelligencer. In this depiction, Trump is portrayed by Marvel actor Sebastian Stan, while Cohn is played by Succession star Jeremy Strong.

Maria Bakalova portrays Ivana Trump, Donald Trump's former wife, in the series. Bakalova gained recognition for her performance in "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," which earned her a nomination for an Academy Award. According to Intelligencer, the beginning of The Apprentice includes a disclaimer stating that some parts of the show were "fictionalized for dramatic purposes."

In his outburst, Trump labeled the movie as “phony and lacking in class.” He expressed his desire for it to “flop” and claimed that it was released just before the 2024 Presidential Election in an attempt to undermine what he referred to as the greatest political movement in the nation’s history, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May, The Apprentice has generated both acclaim and debate. The writer, Gabriel Sherman, revealed that there were many challenges encountered during its production.

According to Sherman in Vanity Fair, actors were hesitant to portray Trump in a relatable light, and major Hollywood organizations were unwilling to finance the film. Additionally, it's been reported that the primary backer of the project allegedly threatened to pull funding after watching it.

The investor in question was Dan Snyder, a billionaire who used to own the NFL team Washington Commanders and was a strong supporter of Trump. According to Variety, Snyder is said to have put money into The Apprentice via the film production company run by his son-in-law, Mark Rapaport.

"The source indicated that he believed it was a complimentary depiction of the 45th president," the publication stated.

The Apprentice is far from what its title suggests. There’s a scene where Trump’s character seems to sexually assault his first wife, Ivana, uses amphetamines, has liposuction, and gets a hair transplant.

Ivana initially stated that Trump assaulted her during a divorce deposition but later withdrew that accusation. Trump has denied the allegations made by Ivana. He has been deemed responsible for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll in a civil case and has faced accusations of sexual misconduct from over 20 women.

Trump's attorneys issued cease-and-desist letters to the producers of The Apprentice, and major distributors steered clear of the project. Sherman pointed out, "Hollywood likes to see itself as a place where truth prevails, yet they were avoiding a film at a time when they were gearing up for a Trump presidency."

In a late-night social media post just before 1 a.m., Trump targeted the way the film portrayed Ivana, who passed away in July 2022 due to an accidental fall.

“My ex-wife, Ivana, was an amazing and caring individual, and we shared a strong bond up until her passing,” Trump stated. “The author of this unfortunate piece, Gabe Sherman, who is a dishonest and untalented writer that has frequently been discredited, was aware of this but chose to overlook it.”

"It's really disappointing that individuals who act unethically can openly express themselves and take actions that may undermine a political movement that holds great significance for many. Let's hope this effort fails. MAGA2024!"

The movie's director, Ali Abbasi, appeared to be unfazed by the harsh comments on Trump's Truth Social platform.

“Appreciate your response, @realDonaldTrump,” Abbasi shared on X this morning along with a screenshot of his message. “I’m open to discussing this more if you’d like. Today is quite busy for me with media commitments for #TheApprentice, but I might be able to call you tomorrow.”

When asked to provide more details about Trump's statement, his campaign referenced Sherman’s remarks regarding the fictional aspects of the film.

The filmmakers have acknowledged that they staged scenes and invented false stories to support a twisted narrative about President Trump that is entirely false. "This nonsense is pure fiction, exaggerating lies that have already been proven wrong," stated Steven Cheung, the communications director for Trump's campaign.

Cheung compared the movie to alleged "witch hunts" carried out by his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris. He described it as an attempt by Hollywood insiders to meddle in the election just before November, as they believe President Trump will reclaim the White House and defeat their preferred candidate, especially since none of their previous efforts have succeeded.

Cheung described the "film" as an act of severe malicious slander, stating that it should never be shown to the public. He added that it doesn’t even merit a spot in the discount DVD section of a nearly shuttered store; instead, it belongs in a garbage fire.