Cannes, France – Donald Trump’s campaign is considering legal action against the creators of “The Apprentice” biopic, which premiered at Cannes, featuring a controversial scene of the former president violently raping his first wife. The campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, denounced the film as “pure fiction” and accused Hollywood of trying to interfere with the election by perpetuating lies.
The film, directed by Ali Abbasi, opens with a disclaimer about the fictionalized events it portrays. Sebastian Stan portrays Trump in a heavily altered appearance, engaging in a scene that an insider described as “violent” and “uncomfortable.” The film’s depiction of the assault on Ivana Trump, played by Maria Bakalova, has stirred controversy and drawn criticism.
Ivana Trump had previously accused her ex-husband of rape in a 1989 divorce deposition, only to retract those claims in 2015 as “totally without merit.” The biopic’s portrayal of this alleged assault has reignited debate surrounding Trump’s past behavior and treatment of women.
In addition to Trump’s campaign, billionaire Dan Snyder, a close ally of the former president, has expressed discontent with the film’s portrayal of Trump. Despite investing in the project under the assumption of a favorable depiction, Snyder reportedly took issue with various aspects of the biopic.
As the controversy surrounding “The Apprentice” continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how both Trump’s associates and critics will respond. The film’s graphic content and contentious subject matter have sparked discussions about the intersection of politics, entertainment, and personal history in today’s divisive cultural landscape.