The Apprentice (2024 film)

In 1973, the young Donald Trump, after pointing out various wealthy people to his date, meets Roy Cohn, notorious at the time as former chief counsel to Joseph McCarthy, at a New York City social club. Trump complains that the federal government is investigating his real-estate mogul father, Fred Trump, for discrimination against African-American tenants; Cohn offers to help.

After Cohn blackmails the lead prosecutor with photos of him with a cabana boy, the prosecutor settles the case for little, despite evidence of racial discrimination. Trump eventually descends further into Cohn's orbit, seeing him as a better mentor than his father. Cohn teaches Trump about dressing well and media relations, and offers his "three rules": always attack, never admit wrongdoing, and always claim victory, even if defeated. Trump attends a decadent Cohn party, where he walks in on Cohn (whose homosexuality is an open secret) having an orgy.

Trump wants to develop the derelict midtown Commodore Hotel, near Grand Central Terminal, into a Hyatt. Cohn, using blackmail audiotapes of officials, helps Trump obtain a $160 million tax abatement for the project, outraging advocates for the poor. Trump does not ask Fred, with whom he has a tense relationship, for permission to build.

Trump develops the luxurious Trump Tower, belittling Fred's smaller achievements, and the media begins to treat him as a successful mogul. Cohn criticizes unions and welfare queens, presenting himself as a guardian of the American spirit, while attacking rules, morals, and truth. During the Reagan era, Trump says the United States needs to be stronger instead of disrespected by foreign nations. Trump and Roger Stone approve of one of Reagan's slogans, "Let's Make America Great Again".

Against Cohn's advice, Trump proceeds with some real estate developments, such as the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, causing losses. Fred is ashamed of his eldest son, Fred Jr., for becoming an airline pilot with TWA, considering it akin to being "a bus driver with wings". Fred Jr. spirals into alcoholism, derailing his career, while the Trump family distances themselves from his self-destruction, and he eventually dies, devastating the family. His mother, Mary Anne, is agonized by this, and by Donald's attempts to manipulate his father's dementia to gain control of his siblings' inheritance to pay off mounting debts.

Trump meets Czech model Ivana Zelníčková, gets her admitted to his club after she is turned away, pays for her expenses, then pursues her to Aspen, Colorado, to ask her on a date. They eventually wed. She becomes an influential figure in the success of The Trump Organization. However, Trump grows resentful of Ivana overshadowing his fame and tells her he is no longer attracted to her (though not mentioning his various affairs). She complains of her breast enlargement he requested and calls him fat and bald, so he sexually assaults her. Now addicted to amphetamines to help control his weight, Donald is discouraged from using them by his doctor, with whom he discusses his obesity and baldness. Trump has contentious relations with the new mayor, Ed Koch.

While facing disbarment, Cohn develops AIDS but publicly denies it. His lover Russell also develops AIDS, and Cohn asks Trump to put Russell up at the Hyatt. Trump eventually evicts Russell, claiming that guests complained, and refuses to approach Cohn, who berates Trump on the street, calling him an ungrateful fraud. After Russell dies, Trump takes Cohn to Mar-a-Lago in Florida and celebrates his birthday. He gives Cohn Trump-branded diamond cufflinks, but Ivana informs Cohn during dinner that the diamonds are zirconium knockoffs. When the cake arrives, Roy weeps and excuses himself from the table.

Cohn dies in 1986. Trump undergoes liposuction and scalp-reduction surgeries. He meets with Tony Schwartz, the ghostwriter of his autobiography, The Art of the Deal, and misquotes Cohn's three rules as his own. Trump muses about becoming President of the United States, talks about the genetic superiority of winners, and expatiates his greatness while looking out toward an American flag waving against the backdrop of the New York skyline.

{{Cast listing|

• Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump
• Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn
• Martin Donovan as Fred Trump Sr.
• Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump
• Catherine McNally as Mary Anne Trump
• Charlie Carrick as Fred Trump Jr.
• Ben Sullivan as Russell Eldridge
• Mark Rendall as Roger Stone
• Joe Pingue as Anthony Salerno
• Stuart Hughes as Mike Wallace
• Bruce Beaton as Andy Warhol
• Ian D. Clark as Ed Koch
• Jason Blicker as George Steinbrenner
• Tom Barnett as Rupert Murdoch

}}

The film was first announced in May 2018.{{cite news |title=Gabriel Sherman to Write 'The Apprentice' Movie About Young Donald Trump |work=Variety |date=May 2, 2018 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/gabriel-sherman-the-apprentice-movie-donald-trump-1202795513/ |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130011549/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/gabriel-sherman-the-apprentice-movie-donald-trump-1202795513/ |url-status=live}} Gabriel Sherman, who had covered Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign as a journalist,{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2024 |title=Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan know the risks with 'The Apprentice' |url=https://apnews.com/article/sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-apprentice-trump-movie-a934657204f52a3c5a372d20c06fa0db |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=AP News |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203045049/https://apnews.com/article/sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-apprentice-trump-movie-a934657204f52a3c5a372d20c06fa0db |url-status=live}} was announced to be writing the screenplay. Sherman wanted to tell Donald Trump's "origin story" after speaking about the relationship between Trump and Roy Cohn with "people who had worked for Trump since the '80s". During these conversations, Sherman learned about how Cohn had mentored Trump, who during his 2016 campaign, employed "strategies" that had been taught to him by Cohn.{{Cite web |date=October 11, 2024 |title=The making of 'The Apprentice,' in their words |url=https://apnews.com/article/sebastian-stan-donald-trump-apprentice-jeremy-strong-faf59cdd1c4e80bb8e97f7bea0b940fc |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=AP News |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110173518/https://apnews.com/article/sebastian-stan-donald-trump-apprentice-jeremy-strong-faf59cdd1c4e80bb8e97f7bea0b940fc |url-status=live}} In 2022, Sebastian Stan signed on to play Donald Trump. To prepare for the role during pre-production, Stan listened to tapes of a younger Trump's voice as he did daily tasks, even practicing how his mouth moves, having a talent for imitating people since childhood. In addition to this, Stan thought about how he was told about the American Dream when, after moving from Romania to the United States, his mother took him to see New York City's skyscrapers.{{Cite magazine |last=Allen |first=Ben |date=October 7, 2024 |title=How Sebastian Stan became Donald Trump in The Apprentice |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/sebastian-stan-interview-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007072241/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/sebastian-stan-interview-2024 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=October 16, 2024 |magazine=GQ}}

In October 2023, Ali Abbasi was confirmed to be joining the film as director and, as initially reported, co-writer.{{cite news |title=Ali Abbasi to Direct and Co-Write 'The Apprentice' under Fabula Pictures |website=Nilsen Report |date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |url=https://nilsenreport.ca/ali-abbasi-to-direct-and-co-write-the-apprentice-under-fabula-pictures/ |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130011550/https://nilsenreport.ca/ali-abbasi-to-direct-and-co-write-the-apprentice-under-fabula-pictures/ |url-status=live}} However, it was later confirmed that Sherman would be the film's sole writer. According to Abbasi, producers had shared the script with multiple filmmakers, including Paul Thomas Anderson and Clint Eastwood, who had turned down the offer to direct, seeing the film as a "business risk".{{cite news |title=Paul Thomas Anderson & Clint Eastwood Refused to Direct 'The Apprentice' |first=Jordan |last=Ruimy |work=World of Reel |date=October 8, 2024 |access-date=October 13, 2024 |url=https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2024/10/8/paul-thomas-anderson-amp-clint-eastwood-declined-offers-to-direct-the-apprentice |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009230203/https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2024/10/8/paul-thomas-anderson-amp-clint-eastwood-declined-offers-to-direct-the-apprentice |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Ali Abbasi : «Paul Thomas Anderson et Clint Eastwood ont décliné The Apprentice» |lang=fr |first=Etienne |last=Sorin |work=Le Figaro |date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=October 13, 2024 |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/ali-abbasi-paul-thomas-anderson-et-clint-eastwood-ont-decline-the-apprentice-20241008 |archive-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010020332/https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/ali-abbasi-paul-thomas-anderson-et-clint-eastwood-ont-decline-the-apprentice-20241008 |url-status=live}} In anticipation of filming, Stan consumed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Coca-Colas to gain weight. When the film got temporarily suspended, he started bulking up in order to reprise his role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thunderbolts*, but had to frustratingly reverse course when that Marvel Studios production got suspended as well due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The film began principal photography in November 2023 in Toronto, where Stan, Strong and Bakalova were announced as the lead roles.{{cite news |title=Sebastian Stan to Portray Young Donald Trump in Ensemble Film 'The Apprentice' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sebastian-stan-portray-donald-trump-film-the-apprentice-1235699146/ |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130000020/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sebastian-stan-portray-donald-trump-film-the-apprentice-1235699146/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='The Apprentice': Jeremy Strong And Maria Bakalova Join Sebastian Stan In Donald Trump Pic |first=Matt |last=Grobar |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/the-apprentice-movie-sebastian-stan-donald-trump-1235643089/ |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129233512/https://deadline.com/2023/11/the-apprentice-movie-sebastian-stan-donald-trump-1235643089/ |url-status=live}} Filming wrapped on January 28, 2024. In February 2024, it was announced that Martin Donovan had joined the cast portraying Fred Trump.{{cite news |title=Martin Donovan Joins 'The Apprentice' Movie As Fred Trump Sr. |first=Matt |last=Grobar |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=February 13, 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/the-apprentice-movie-casts-martin-donovan-fred-trump-sr-1235820423/ |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211111350/https://deadline.com/2024/02/the-apprentice-movie-casts-martin-donovan-fred-trump-sr-1235820423/ |url-status=live}} The film is a joint production of Canada, Denmark, Ireland and the United States.{{cite news |last=Katz |first=David |date=December 13, 2023 |title=Ali Abbasi plots The Apprentice with Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump |url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/453654 |work=Cineuropa |access-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214133624/https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/453654 |url-status=live}}

In September 2024, after financier Kinematics, backed by Trump supporter Dan Snyder, exited The Apprentice due to creative differences, independent production and distribution company Rich Spirit, founded by James Shani, stepped in to fill the financial gap. Initially an early investor with a $500,000 contribution, Shani acquired Kinematics' stake and secured additional private investment to support the film's release. This acquisition occurred when other studios were hesitant to distribute the film, fearing potential retaliation from Donald Trump.[https://deadline.com/2024/10/trump-the-apprentice-movie-truth-social-1236114976/] Steven Cheung, Trump's then-chief campaign spokesperson said: "We will be filing a lawsuit to address the blatantly false assertions from these pretend filmmakers," he added "This 'film' is pure malicious defamation, should not see the light of day".

Rich Spirit expanded into distribution through this acquisition, partnering with Briarcliff Entertainment for The Apprentice's domestic release on October 11, 2024. The company is focused on independent films, genre cinema, and international productions, with an emphasis on bold, original storytelling and grassroots marketing strategies. Shani, a USC alumnus, previously worked in music videos and commercial production before moving into film financing and distribution.

In collaboration with Briarcliff CEO Tom Ortenberg, Shani launched an awards campaign for The Apprentice, targeting multiple Academy Award categories, including Best Director (Ali Abbasi) and acting nominations for Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong. Rich Spirit also planned an extended marketing strategy through 2025, featuring university screenings and community activations.

The success of The Apprentice positioned Rich Spirit as an emerging boutique studio, aiming to acquire and distribute three to four films per year, prioritizing projects that resonate with younger and international audiences. The company has since engaged in discussions for future acquisitions, including a potential partnership on another Briarcliff release.

In October 2024, Abbasi described the film as "a movie about a human being".{{Cite web |last=Schaffer |first=Michael |date=October 11, 2024 |title=The New Trump Movie Is Scaring Both MAGA and the Resistance |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/10/11/the-apprentice-trump-movie-column-00182904 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122184159/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/10/11/the-apprentice-trump-movie-column-00182904 |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=Politico}} Strong characterized it as "a humanistic interrogation and investigation of these people. Ali is not making The Great Dictator — it's not a farce, it's not a cartoon. We're trying to hold a mirror up to this world and these individuals and try to understand how we got here".{{Cite news |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |date=October 10, 2024 |title=Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong Say Their Trump Movie Is a Tragedy, Not a Mockery |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/10/movies/the-apprentice-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-interview.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110132339/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/10/movies/the-apprentice-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-interview.html |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}

File:Martin Donovan, Maria Bakalova, Ali Abbasi, Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong at "The Apprentice" in NYC 01.jpg, Maria Bakalova, Ali Abbasi, Sebastian Stan, and Jeremy Strong at the film's New York premiere.]]

The Apprentice was submitted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, held from May 14 to 25, 2024.{{cite magazine |title=Cannes 2024: Jacques Audiard's Zoe Saldana-Selena Gomez Movie, Andrea Arnold's Barry Keoghan Film, Cronenberg and More in the Mix |first=Elsa |last=Keslassy |magazine=Variety |date=March 4, 2024 |access-date=March 6, 2024 |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/cannes-2024-predictions-coppola-megalopolis-cronenberg-barry-keoghan-1235929149/ |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522105534/https://variety.com/2024/film/global/cannes-2024-predictions-coppola-megalopolis-cronenberg-barry-keoghan-1235929149/ |url-status=live}} It was included in competition for the Palme d'Or in April 2024, alongside 18 other films,{{cite web |title=Cannes Film Festival Competition Includes Coppola, Audiard, Cronenberg, Arnold, Lanthimos, Sorrentino & Abbasi's Trump Movie — Full List |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/cannes-film-festival-lineup-2024-live-francis-ford-coppola-thierry-fremaux-1235881376/ |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510021739/https://deadline.com/2024/04/cannes-film-festival-lineup-2024-live-francis-ford-coppola-thierry-fremaux-1235881376/ |url-status=live}} and had its world premiere on May 20, 2024, at the festival.{{cite web |url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/2024/the-screenings-guide-of-the-77th-festival-de-cannes/|title=The Screenings Guide of the 77th Festival de Cannes|date=May 8, 2024|publisher=Cannes Film Festival|access-date=May 8, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508200110/https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/2024/the-screenings-guide-of-the-77th-festival-de-cannes/|url-status=live}} It also screened at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2024,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/hot-button-donald-trump-film-the-apprentice-telluride-saturday-debut-10-pm-1236074770/|title=Hot Button Donald Trump Pic 'The Apprentice' Makes Telluride Debut Tonight At 10 PM At Galaxy Theater|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=August 31, 2024|access-date=August 31, 2024|archive-date=August 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831154343/https://deadline.com/2024/08/hot-button-donald-trump-film-the-apprentice-telluride-saturday-debut-10-pm-1236074770/|url-status=live}} and the 2024 BFI London Film Festival on October 15, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Tabbara |first=Mona |title=BFI London Film Festival unveils full 2024 line-up |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/bfi-london-film-festival-unveils-full-2024-line-up/5196807.article |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Screen}}

Following the departure of financier Kinematics, Rich Spirit, an independent production and distribution company founded by James Shani, stepped in to provide additional financing for the film and supported its domestic release. Initially an early investor, Shani acquired a majority stake in the project and partnered with Briarcliff Entertainment to ensure its theatrical distribution.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

StudioCanal acquired UK and Irish distribution rights to the film prior to its world premiere at Cannes.{{cite web|title=Studiocanal Takes UK & Ireland For Ali Abbasi's Cannes Title 'The Apprentice'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Melanie|last=Goodfellow|date=May 15, 2024|access-date=May 16, 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/studiocanal-uk-ireland-the-apprentice-cannes-1235918582/|archive-date=May 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516071019/https://deadline.com/2024/05/studiocanal-uk-ireland-the-apprentice-cannes-1235918582/|url-status=live}} In June 2024, after much difficulty in finding a domestic distributor over concerns regarding its content as well as an attempt by Trump's legal team to block its release, Tom Ortenberg's Briarcliff Entertainment was reported to be close to acquiring U.S. distribution rights for a fall 2024 release, a deal that was confirmed in August 2024.{{cite web|title=Hot-Button Film 'The Apprentice' Moving Toward U.S. Deal With Briarcliff To Release Cannes Sensation On Donald Trump & Roy Cohn – The Dish|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr|last=Fleming|date=June 25, 2024|access-date=June 26, 2024|url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/donald-trump-roy-cohn-film-the-apprentice-moving-toward-us-deal-briarcliff-release-cannes-sensation-1235982987/|archive-date=June 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626010732/https://deadline.com/2024/06/donald-trump-roy-cohn-film-the-apprentice-moving-toward-us-deal-briarcliff-release-cannes-sensation-1235982987/|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |date=August 30, 2024 |title=Hot-Button Trump Flick 'The Apprentice' Acquired by Briarcliff for Pre-Election Release, Awards Campaign (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/trump-film-the-apprentice-release-date-awards-campaign-1235984424/ |access-date=August 30, 2024 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005124446/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/trump-film-the-apprentice-release-date-awards-campaign-1235984424/ |url-status=live}} The film was distributed in Australia by Madman Films.{{cite web |title=The Apprentice – In Cinemas Now |date=October 10, 2024 |url=https://www.madman.com.au/the-apprentice/ |publisher=Madman Entertainment |access-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-date=October 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004093420/https://www.madman.com.au/the-apprentice/ |url-status=live}}

On September 3, 2024, a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter was launched to help prolong the film's theatrical release in the US, with rewards including props worn in the film and VIP tickets to attend the film's premiere in New York City.{{Cite magazine |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=September 3, 2024 |title=Donald Trump Movie 'The Apprentice' Launches Kickstarter to Raise Money for Longer Theatrical Release |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/donald-trump-movie-apprentice-kickstarter-campaign-longer-theatrical-release-1236128232/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926003109/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/donald-trump-movie-apprentice-kickstarter-campaign-longer-theatrical-release-1236128232/ |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |magazine=Variety}} The first trailer for the film was released on September 10, 2024, coinciding with the presidential debate between Trump and Kamala Harris.{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/09/10/apprentice-movie-trailer-watch-sebastian-stan-donald-trump/75164451007/|title=Watch as Sebastian Stan embodies young Donald Trump in new 'Apprentice' biopic trailer|first=Kinsey|last=Crowley|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=September 16, 2024|archive-date=September 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916050009/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/09/10/apprentice-movie-trailer-watch-sebastian-stan-donald-trump/75164451007/|url-status=live}}

The Apprentice was released theatrically in Australia on October 10, 2024,{{cite web |last=Richards |first=Jared |title=Donald Trump tried to ban The Apprentice, an unofficial biopic starring Sebastian Stan. Was it worth the fuss? |publisher=ABC News (Australia) |date=October 10, 2024 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-10/the-apprentice-review-donald-trump-ali-abassi/104434672 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010025342/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-10/the-apprentice-review-donald-trump-ali-abassi/104434672 |url-status=live}} and in the US on October 11, with limited marketing costs (including no TV spots).{{Cite web|last=Ntim|first=Zac|date=September 10, 2024|title='The Apprentice' Trailer: Sebastian Stan Morphs Into Donald Trump In Ali Abbasi's Punk Rock Biopic|url=https://deadline.com/video/the-apprentice-trailer-donald-trump-sebastian-stan-ali-abbasi-briarcliff-trumps-2024|access-date=April 14, 2025|website=Deadline Hollywood}} The film was released on premium video on demand (PVOD) on November 1, 2024.{{cite magazine |last=Lammers |first=Tim |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/10/22/donald-trump-movie-the-apprentice-gets-digital-streaming-date/ |title=Donald Trump Movie 'The Apprentice' Gets Digital Streaming Date |magazine=Forbes |date=October 22, 2024 |access-date=December 18, 2024 |archive-date=December 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216151823/https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/10/22/donald-trump-movie-the-apprentice-gets-digital-streaming-date/ |url-status=live}} Following its 97th Academy Awards nominations, Briarcliff announced a re-release in theaters beginning on January 31.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2025-01-30 |title='The Apprentice': Ali Abbasi's Donald Trump & Roy Cohn Early Days Movie Returning To Cinemas |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/the-apprentice-donald-trump-movie-re-release-1236273324/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Deadline}}

The Apprentice grossed $4 million in the United States and Canada, and $13.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $17.3 million.

In the United States and Canada, The Apprentice was released alongside Terrifier 3, Piece by Piece, My Hero Academia: You're Next, and the wide expansion of Saturday Night, and was projected to gross $1–3 million from 1,740 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|title=Terrifier 3 Looks To Slash Joker: Folie à Deux At Weekend Box Office With $11M+ Opening – Preview|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/terrifier-3-joker-folie-a-deux-box-office-1236111346/|date=October 9, 2024|access-date=October 9, 2024|archive-date=October 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009161123/https://deadline.com/2024/10/terrifier-3-joker-folie-a-deux-box-office-1236111346/|url-status=live}} The film made $590,000 on its first day, including $150,000 from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $1.6 million, finishing 10th.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W41/|title=Domestic 2024 Weekend 41|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=October 14, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/we-live-in-time-with-andrew-garfield-and-florence-pugh-sees-a-top-limited-opening-of-2024-specialty-box-office-1236114660/|title=We Live In Time With Andrew Garfield And Florence Pugh Sees A Top Limited Opening Of 2024 – Specialty Box Office|date=October 13, 2024|first=Jill|last=Goldsmith|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 14, 2024|archive-date=November 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123033416/https://deadline.com/2024/10/we-live-in-time-with-andrew-garfield-and-florence-pugh-sees-a-top-limited-opening-of-2024-specialty-box-office-1236114660/|url-status=live}} Anthony D'Alessandro of Deadline Hollywood said Briarcliff Entertainment struggled to market the film because of a limited marketing spend, despite its controversies with the former president; iSpot, which tracks TV spots, said there were no spots registered for The Apprentice, and theatrical trailers supposed to be attached to Wolfs were reduced after that film scaled back its release. Furthermore, Briarcliff could not start booking theaters and fully promoting the film until Labor Day weekend, which complicated its rollout.{{cite web|website=Deadline Hollywood|title=Clown Vs. Clown: Terrifier 3 Shows Teeth With $18M+ As Joker 2 Posts Record Drop For DC Character Pic; Awards Season Darlings Shriek – Sunday Box Office|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/box-office-terrifier-3-joker-folie-a-deux-the-apprentice-1236113611/|date=October 13, 2024|access-date=October 13, 2024|archive-date=November 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106065223/https://deadline.com/2024/10/box-office-terrifier-3-joker-folie-a-deux-the-apprentice-1236113611/|url-status=live}}

{{Multiple image

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| footer = Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong garnered critical acclaim for their performances and earned Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

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{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|83|6.9|242|Instead of cross-examining its subject, The Apprentice gives Sebastian Stan the chance to shine in a simplistic yet entertaining foray into the world of a young Trump.|ref=yes|access-date=February 17, 2025}} {{Metacritic film prose|64|54|ref=yes|access-date=October 26, 2024}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B–" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it a 71% overall positive score, with 46% saying they would definitely recommend it. On AlloCiné, the film received an average rating of 3.6 out of 5, based on 30 reviews from French critics.{{Cite web |url=https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-324170/critiques/presse/ |title=The Apprentice: Les critiques presse |language=fr |access-date=October 14, 2024 |publisher=AlloCiné |archive-date=December 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215200633/https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-324170/critiques/presse/ |url-status=live}}

David Rooney in The Hollywood Reporter praised Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong's performances in the film with Stan "going beyond impersonation to capture the essence of the man". Beyond the portrayal of Trump and Cohn, Rooney writes that the film examines the rise of 'winners' and 'losers' thinking in American life from the cynicism of the Nixon years to the rise of corporate greed during the Reagan presidency in the 1980s.{{cite web |last1=Rooney |first1=David |date=May 20, 2024 |title='The Apprentice' Review: Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong Are Superb in Chilling Account of the Unholy Alliance That Birthed Donald Trump |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-apprentice-review-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-donald-trump-1235904171/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521022513/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-apprentice-review-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-donald-trump-1235904171/ |url-status=live}} The Times' Kevin Maher gave the film 4/5 stars, writing, "This is the Donald Trump movie that you never knew you needed: full of compassionate feeling yet ruthless in analysis."{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Kevin |date=October 11, 2024 |title=The Apprentice review — the Donald Trump movie you never knew you needed |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-apprentice-review-donald-trump-m6m6z2pbg |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=The Times |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905012733/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-apprentice-review-donald-trump-m6m6z2pbg |url-status=live}} James Croot of Stuff also gave the film 4/5 stars, calling it "an engrossing mentor-mentee tale (à la The Color of Money or Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps) that showcases two, quite frankly, amazing performances."{{Cite web |last1=Croot |first1=James |last2=Tuckett |first2=Graeme |date=October 11, 2024 |title=Stuff to Watch: The best new movies to see (and avoid) in Kiwi cinemas this weekend |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/culture/350446409/stuff-watch-best-new-movies-see-and-avoid-kiwi-cinemas-weekend |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=Stuff |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124212501/https://www.stuff.co.nz/culture/350446409/stuff-watch-best-new-movies-see-and-avoid-kiwi-cinemas-weekend |url-status=live}}

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film 2/5 stars, writing, "Director Ali Abbasi has given us fascinating monsters in the past with Holy Spider and Border but the monstrosity here is almost sentimental, a cartoon Xeroxed from many other satirical Trump takes and knowing prophetic echoes of his political future."{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |date=May 20, 2024 |title=The Apprentice review – cartoon version of chump-in-chief Donald Trump's early years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/may/20/the-apprentice-review-cartoon-version-of-chump-in-chief-donald-trumps-early-years |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}

Roger Stone tweeted of Strong, "I knew Roy Cohn. Roy Cohn was a friend of mine. As much as I hate to say it, this guy deserves an Oscar".{{Cite tweet |number=1893446409342325238 |user=RogerJStoneJr |title=I knew Roy Cohn. Roy Cohn was a friend of mine. As much as I hate to say it, this guy deserves an Oscar. |first=Roger |last=Stone |date=2025-02-22 |access-date=2025-03-01}} He added, "I am, however, much better looking than the guy they had playing me" (Rendall).{{Cite tweet |number=1893502172601466957 |user=RogerJStoneJr |title=I am, however, much better looking than the guy they had playing me. |first=Roger |last=Stone |date=2025-02-22 |access-date=2025-03-01}}

Trump described the film as "a cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting hatchet job" and described those involved in it as "human scum".{{cite news |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |date=October 14, 2024 |title=Donald Trump Lashes Out at 'The Apprentice' by Calling It a 'Politically Disgusting Hatchet Job' Made by 'Human Scum'; Director Responds: 'I'm Available to Talk Further' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/donald-trump-slams-the-apprentice-movie-disgusting-1236176766/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=Variety |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110122308/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/donald-trump-slams-the-apprentice-movie-disgusting-1236176766/ |url-status=live}}

Billionaire Dan Snyder, formerly the owner of the Washington Commanders NFL team, invested money in the production of The Apprentice with the impression that the film would be a positive portrayal of Trump. Snyder is a close friend of Trump who donated $1.1 million to his inaugural committee and Trump Victory Committee in 2016 and $100,000 to his 2020 presidential campaign. After seeing a cut of the film in February 2024, Snyder was said to be furious, and lawyers for the Snyder-backed Kinematics production company sought to stop the release of the film.{{cite web |last1=Siegel |first1=Tatiana |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Inside the Legal Battle to Recut Trump Movie 'The Apprentice': Why Billionaire Investor Dan Snyder Is Furious With Ex-President's Portrayal (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/donald-trump-movie-the-apprentice-dan-snyder-feud-1236010060/ |website=Variety |access-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521003648/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/donald-trump-movie-the-apprentice-dan-snyder-feud-1236010060/ |url-status=live}}

The film includes controversial scenes, including those that depict Trump violently raping his first wife, Ivana, abusing amphetamines to lose weight, and undergoing liposuction and plastic surgery to remove a bald spot.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/the-apprentice-trump-sue-sebastian-stan-1236011168/|title=Trump Campaign Threatens Legal Action Over Sebastian Stan's 'The Apprentice' Movie: 'This Garbage Is Pure Fiction'|url-status=live|author=Stephan, Katcy|magazine=Variety|date=May 20, 2024|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=May 21, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240521042533/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/the-apprentice-trump-sue-sebastian-stan-1236011168/}}{{cite web |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Donald Trump Movie 'The Apprentice' Ignites Controversy in Cannes Over Rape Scene |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/the-apprentice-donald-trump-rape-scene-cannes-controversy-1236010965/ |website=Variety |access-date=May 20, 2024 |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520215111/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/the-apprentice-donald-trump-rape-scene-cannes-controversy-1236010965/ |url-status=live}} The rape scene was based on divorce records. In a deposition under oath, rendered during their divorce proceedings, Ivana accused Donald of rape and of pulling out her hair by the handful when his plastic surgery to alter his hairline failed.{{cite news|last1=Ross|first1=Barbara|last2=Brown|first2=Stephen Rex|date=September 17, 2016|title=Court docs reveal Donald Trump's 'cruel' treatment of Ivana |work=Daily News|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/court-docs-reveal-donald-trump-cruel-treatment-ivana-article-1.2796179|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917194525/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/court-docs-reveal-donald-trump-cruel-treatment-ivana-article-1.2796179 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |access-date=October 15, 2017}} In 2015 Ivana Trump issued a statement clarifying earlier allegations made during her 1989 divorce proceedings. She claimed that her use of the term "rape" was not meant in a literal or criminal sense and was made during a time of high emotion, stating "Donald and I are the best of friends, and together we have raised three children that we love and are very proud of. I have nothing but fondness for Donald, and I wish him the best of luck on his campaign. [...] I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald. The story is totally without merit. Donald and I are the best of friends and he would never rape me."{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/27/politics/donald-trump-ivana-rape-allegation-lawyer-apology/index.html |title=Trump lawyer's argument: 'You can't rape your spouse' |date=July 28, 2015 |publisher=CNN |access-date=September 20, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Emily |first1=Olivia |title=When Is The Apprentice Out In UK Cinemas? |url=https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/culture/the-apprentice-movie/ |website=Country and Town House |access-date=November 6, 2024 |date=October 16, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Why The Apprentice, a new film about Donald Trump's early years, is an unwelcome surprise for his campaign |url=https://news.sky.com/story/adam-boulton-why-the-apprentice-a-new-film-about-donald-trumps-early-years-may-harm-the-former-presidents-2024-white-house-chances-13231899 |website=Sky News |access-date=November 6, 2024 |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108094851/https://news.sky.com/story/adam-boulton-why-the-apprentice-a-new-film-about-donald-trumps-early-years-may-harm-the-former-presidents-2024-white-house-chances-13231899 |url-status=live}} Sherman cited the Trump biography Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump, by Harry Hurt, as the main source for Trump's use of amphetamines and said, "There's been other reporting over the years that Trump, in the '80s, took these pills that essentially are amphetamines, and they kind of give you manic energy...It's always been one of the explanations for why he went on this deal-making binge...I felt it was one of the themes of the film—as Trump gains more power, he loses touch with his own humanity. I thought of the diet pills as him trying to develop this superpower of never needing to sleep."{{Cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Julie |date=October 11, 2024 |title=The Apprentice: The Trump Biopic's Wildest Moments Were Even Crazier in Real Life |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/donald-trump-the-apprentice-movie |access-date=October 17, 2024 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}

On May 20, 2024, Variety reported that Steven Cheung, the communications director of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, threatened legal action over the film. On May 24, Variety reported that Trump's attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to the filmmakers, seeking to block "all marketing, distribution, and publication of the Movie."{{cite web|title=Trump hits 'The Apprentice' with cease-and-desist, seeks to block release |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4685096-trump-the-apprentice-cease-and-desist-2024-cannes-film-festival-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-roy-cohn/|newspaper=The Hill|url-status=live|date=May 24, 2024|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524224839/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4685096-trump-the-apprentice-cease-and-desist-2024-cannes-film-festival-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-roy-cohn/}} The film's producers responded to the letter by issuing a statement saying, "The film is a fair and balanced portrait of the former president. We want everyone to see it and then decide."{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/apprentice-donald-trump-team-cease-and-desist-letter-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-1236015819/|title=As 'The Apprentice' Seeks Cannes Sale, Trump Team Sends Cease and Desist Letter to Block Film's Release (EXCLUSIVE)|url-status=live|author=Lang, Brent|author2=Stephan, Katcy|magazine=Variety|date=May 24, 2024|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524205143/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/apprentice-donald-trump-team-cease-and-desist-letter-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-1236015819/}}

Subsequent to this, Abbasi offered to screen the film for Trump, believing that he might approve of its depiction of him.{{cite web |last1=Shafer |first1=Ellise |last2=Donnelly |first2=Matt |date=May 21, 2024 |title='The Apprentice' Director Offers to Screen Movie for Donald Trump After Campaign Threatens Lawsuit: 'I Don't Necessarily Think It's a Movie He Would Dislike' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/the-apprentice-director-responds-donald-trump-lawsuit-screen-movie-1236011398/ |website=Variety |access-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521093413/https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/the-apprentice-director-responds-donald-trump-lawsuit-screen-movie-1236011398/ |url-status=live}} He also said that realistic films need to be produced about the threat of fascism.{{cite news |last=Coyle |first=Jake |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-apprentice-cannes-83958ff061a475a203424e8b9916ada1 |title=Trump campaign calls The Apprentice film 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him |publisher=The Associated Press |date=May 21, 2024 |access-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522000010/https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-apprentice-cannes-83958ff061a475a203424e8b9916ada1 |url-status=live}}

In September 2024, Dan Snyder and his production company Kinematics sold its stake in the film, citing creative differences. Snyder was reportedly motivated to depart because of the film's unflattering and controversial portrayal of the central figure.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=September 3, 2024 |title='The Apprentice' Producer Kinematics Sells Stake in Trump Movie Over 'Creative Differences' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/apprentice-producer-kinematics-sells-stake-trump-movie-dan-snyder-1236128797/ |access-date=October 11, 2024 |website=Variety |archive-date=October 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002214110/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/apprentice-producer-kinematics-sells-stake-trump-movie-dan-snyder-1236128797/ |url-status=live}} The stake was acquired by James Shani and his production company Rich Spirit, which was already involved in the film with an original investment of $500,000.{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=September 26, 2024 |title="You're Hired!" Meet Rich Spirit, The Company That Stepped In To Back Controversial Donald Trump Movie 'The Apprentice', & Hear What's Next For The New U.S. Indie Producer-Distributor |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/donald-trump-the-apprentice-movie-rich-spirit-meet-the-company-james-shani-1236100228/ |access-date=October 11, 2024 |website=Deadline |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009153750/https://deadline.com/2024/09/donald-trump-the-apprentice-movie-rich-spirit-meet-the-company-james-shani-1236100228/ |url-status=live}}

• W., 2008 biopic about the formative years of American President George W. Bush
• Vice, 2018 biopic satire about American Vice President Dick Cheney
• The Comey Rule, 2020 mini-series about FBI Director James Comey's relationship with Trump during the investigation into his first election as President

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title}}

{{Ali Abbasi}}

{{Trump media}}

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