Internet outraged as Trump intends to sue 'The Apprentice' movie producers over controversial scene involving late ex-wife Ivana

'The Apprentice', directed by Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi, depicts the rise of Donald Trump in New York's high society during the 1970s and 1980s
Sebastian Stan (inset) stars as a young Donald Trump in 'The Apprentice', a movie that delves into the life of Donald Trump and his former wife, Ivana Trump  (Getty Images, IMDb)
Sebastian Stan (inset) stars as a young Donald Trump in 'The Apprentice', a movie that delves into the life of Donald Trump and his former wife, Ivana Trump (Getty Images, IMDb)

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: The Trump campaign has expressed outrage over a controversial new movie, 'The Apprentice,' which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, May 20.

The film, directed by Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi, depicts the rise of Donald Trump in New York's high society during the 1970s and 1980s, sensationally portraying him in a highly negative light. The campaign has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the filmmakers.

Controversial scene in 'The Apprentice' sparks backlash

'The Apprentice' dramatizes Trump’s ascent as a real estate mogul. It has drawn sharp criticism, particularly for a scene that graphically depicts an alleged rape of Trump’s then-wife, Ivana Trump.

Sebastian Stan takes on the role of a young Donald Trump, while Jeremy Strong portrays his fixer, Roy Cohn. Oscar-nominated actress Maria Bakalova embodies Ivana Trump during her marriage to the former president.

The film's controversial narrative includes a depiction of the end of Trump’s marriage to Ivana, showing her giving him a book about improving as a lover. Trump is then portrayed as telling Ivana that he no longer finds her attractive before violently raping her and asking, "Did I find your g-spot?"

This unsettling portrayal is based on an allegation Ivana Trump made during her 1989 divorce deposition, which she retracted more than 25 years later. In a July 2015 statement, Ivana clarified, "The story is totally without merit."



 

Trump to file lawsuit against 'The Apprentice' movie

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung vehemently denounced the film in a statement to the New York Post.

“We will be filing a lawsuit to address the blatantly false assertions from these pretend filmmakers,” Cheung declared. He described the film as "pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked."

Cheung’s statement continued, lambasting the film for its perceived defamation. “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,” he added.

Cheung also suggested that the film’s release was an act of "election interference," timed to impact the 2024 presidential election where Trump is set to challenge President Biden.

“This is election interference by Hollywood elites, who know that President Trump will retake the White House and beat their candidate of choice because nothing they have done has worked,” Cheung asserted.

The film, which commenced production in late November, chronicles Trump’s endeavors to establish his real estate empire on the foundation of his father, Fred Trump’s properties.

Initially titled 'The Student,' the movie was described by Variety as "an exploration of power and ambition set in a world of corruption and deceit."



 

The screenplay was penned by Gabriel Sherman, known for his book 'The Loudest Voice in the Room,' which details the rise of Fox News founder Roger Ailes.

One of the film’s investors, billionaire Dan Snyder, was reportedly infuriated by its portrayal of Trump. According to Variety, Snyder, former owner of the Washington Commanders, was expecting it to be a “flattering portrayal of the 45th President."

'The Apprentice' producers slammed on social media

The film has sparked significant backlash from Trump supporters on social media.

"I’d sue the crap out of this studio," one user posted on X.

"The TDS never stops giving..lol," another quipped, using a social media acronym for "Trump derangment syndrome."

"These people have no moral code," someone else offered.

"I hope the producers have good lawyers," a comment read.

"They hate him so much he’s gotta be doing something right," another added.



 



 



 



 



 

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. 

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

In a 6-3 ruling involving a Chinese national, the high court held agents could revoke arrival protections based on unproven criminal allegations
7 minutes ago
Ro Khanna accused Elon Musk of using his wealth to silence critics after reports said he sought Khanna's arrest and threatened legal action
35 minutes ago
Laura Loomer accused Tucker Carlson of abandoning GOP's Iran policies and deepening a right-wing foreign policy feud
1 hour ago
Trump forcefully dismissed media criticism and congressional backlash, then revealed Iran had accepted indefinite, top-level nuclear inspections
2 hours ago
Iran hit back after Donald Trump warned Tehran against closing the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing peace talks
8 hours ago
Donald Trump accused ABC News of omitting context, claiming Barack Obama and Joe Biden spent over $100 million on the Reflecting Pool
9 hours ago
Trump also suggested that someone may have deliberately put fertilizer in the pool to cause the algae problem that has plagued cleanup efforts
10 hours ago
States may lose part of federal security funding if they reject proposed reforms including paper ballots and voter roll checks
10 hours ago
Judge Sparkle L Sooknanan ruled the SAVE database overhaul could misidentify citizens and expose sensitive voter data
12 hours ago
The media regulator currently has two investigations pending against ABC: one centered on the daytime talk show 'The View', and another examining whether the network should retain the licenses
12 hours ago