Controversial Donald Trump biopic shares first clip ahead of pre-election release
‘The Apprentice’ stars Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as his bullish lawyer and mentor Roy Cohn
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The forthcoming Donald Trump biopic, The Apprentice, has dropped its first teaser clip ahead of its pre-election release date this fall.
From Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbassi, the movie stars Sebastian Stan as a young Trump and Succession’s Jeremy Strong as his bullish lawyer and mentor Roy Cohn.
Described as an “origin story,” it will examine the early years of the former president’s New York real estate career in the 70s and 80s.
On Tuesday (September 3), the film’s distributor Briarcliff Entertainment released an exclusive scene from the movie, showing Stan’s Trump and Strong’s Cohn in the back of a town car.
“About a hundred reporters were crawling up my ass to get this interview and I gave you the exclusive,” an annoyed Cohn says on the phone before handing it to Trump.
When Trump introduces himself on the phone, Cohn can be seen in the background coaching him to sound more animated.
After the reporter asks Trump what he plans on doing now that he’s settled his racial discrimination lawsuit, Trump responds: “Well, I intend to acquire the Commodore [hotel].
“I’m planning on making it the best and the finest building in the city – maybe the country,” he adds before Cohn redirects him to say “in the world.”
“It’s gonna be the finest building in the world; it’s gonna be a spectacular hotel, absolutely spectacular, first class.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Asked where he gets the drive and ambition, Trump replies: “I’ve got flare, and I’m smart. So I think that’s gonna make me successful.
“But I also want to stay humble,” he manages to clarify just as Cohn grabs the phone from his hand.
“Uh, sorry Judy, listen, let’s do the rest in person, and bring a photographer, ok?” Cohn tells the reporter before hanging up.
Trump quickly apologizes to Cohn, explaining that he was caught off guard.
“I mean listen, it’s your life. You’ve got a ways to go, but you’re learning,” Cohn reassures.
Last week, The Apprentice was acquired by Tom Ortenberg’s Briarcliff Entertainment after it initially struggled to find a buyer.
The movie is reported to contain several unflattering scenes, including Trump using drugs and undergoing cosmetic surgeries.
More controversially, it shows Trump raping his first wife Ivana, who had accused him of sexually assaulting her in a 1989 divorce deposition. She later disavowed the allegation in 2015.
Days after it screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Trump’s campaign sent a cease-and-desist letter, warning producers not to pursue a distribution deal.
In a statement shared with The Independent, Trump campaign chief spokesperson Steven Cheung condemned the movie, calling it “garbage” and “pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked.”
“This ‘film’ is pure malicious defamation, should not see the light of day,” Cheung said, “and doesn’t even deserve a place in the straight-to-DVD section of a bargain bin at a soon-to-be-closed discount movie store, it belongs in a dumpster fire.”
Producers later hit back at the Trump campaign’s claims, telling Variety that “the film is a fair and balanced portrait of the former president. We want everyone to see it and then decide.”
The Apprentice is scheduled to release in theaters on October 11.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments