Donald Trump will have a hard time proving ‘The Apprentice’ defames him, claims entertainment lawyer
WASHINGTON, DC: An entertainment lawyer has claimed that even though Donald Trump and his team have taken action against ‘The Apprentice’ and called it a "libelous farce", it’s not easy to prove it.
Trump’s biopic reportedly premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last week and it received a standing ovation from the attendees.
Trump’s team calls ‘The Apprentice’ film ‘garbage’
However, the ex-president’s team sent a cease-and-desist order to the creators of the movie so that it wouldn't get released in the US or anywhere else.
Trump campaign’s spokesperson Stephen Cheung said, “This garbage is pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked. This ‘film’ is pure malicious defamation, should not see the light of day, 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,” Cheung added.
Lawyer says Trump cannot easily win against ‘The Apprentice’ makers
However, as per Camron Dowlatshahi, an attorney at Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP, who spoke with Business Insider, the movie cannot be that easily get rid of.
Since the movie reportedly clarifies that it’s “inspired by true events”, a defamation case cannot be filed.
Dowlatshahi said, “That's typically enough to give the makers of the show enough wiggle room to use their expression and avoid defamation cases.”
The attorney also noted that even if the 77-year-old Republican managed to prove ‘The Apprentice’ defamed him, he has to show how it affected his brand.
Besides, Dowlatshahi shared how all the buzz around Ali Abbasi's directorial might prove beneficial for the film.
“If they're trying to get sold and companies see that there's potential for litigation, that might give them cold feet. I should note that this looks like a pretty high-quality production, so with all the buzz around it, it might be worth it for a company to take that risk and purchase the film,” he added.
Netizens think Trump cannot do anything against 'The Apprentice'
Meanwhile, there were people online who shared their thoughts as well over the drama.
A reader below a Yahoo article wrote, “Trump often sues without thinking. If he said nothing, few would even know about the movie, and it would die a quick death. It is a fight he cannot win. But then it is not as if he is paying the lawyers to sue.”
Another reader commented, “If Trump and his cronies are screaming this loud there is probably a lot of truth in the movie. It's a joy to watch when Trump demands something and is told no. The only thing he wants is people genuflecting and saying ‘Yes Sir!’”
“If the movie does well in the US, Trump will of course claim the box office totals are rigged,” the third one shared.
The fourth user stated, “If he did it, he owns it. It’s standard practice for his attorneys to come out in full force when truthful episodes of his past life which are less than flattering are brought to the public’s attention…and there are a lot of them.”
The fifth one added, "’Inspired by true events’...Trump has no chance of stopping this movie other than buying the rights to ownership and distribution and fulfilling any contracts associated with anyone involved in the making of the film.”
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
