How ‘The Apprentice’ Provides Trump a PR Boost While Shedding Controversial Baggage

In Ali Abbasi’s *The Apprentice*, the narrative of former president Donald Trump’s ascent to power unfolds through a highly controversial educational relationship with the infamous lawyer Roy Cohn, known for his nationalist and racist sentiments. The film is visually striking and at times strikingly disturbing, yet it fails to offer a comprehensive picture of Trump. Instead, it conveys a simplistic and increasingly sensational depiction of Trump’s evolution while neglecting the intricacies that define his character.

Curiously, the film sidelines the fundamental beliefs and motivations that have shaped Trump’s actions, constructing a narrative centered on a distinctly American supervillain archetype. This interpretation of Trump resonates on a certain level, portraying him as deeply aggrieved, encapsulating the essence of a privileged man-child. He desires relationships, wealth, and affection, achieving all he wishes merely by virtue of his status. He embodies the ultimate “pick-me” personality, wrapped in a façade of unearned self-sufficiency. Despite impressive performances by Stan and Strong (who portrays Cohn) as well as moments that elicit genuine discomfort, the film’s conception is inherently flawed. Trump’s journey into becoming a polarizing political figure reflects not a dramatic transformation but rather the gradual amplification of already existing characteristics and beliefs.

Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong share insights about the release of the Donald Trump biopic ‘THE APPRENTICE’ right before the U.S. elections. “This movie was very nearly banned essentially from being released in the U.S. which, to me, just makes it more essential viewing” pic.twitter.com/uprUof8Crf

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 11, 2024

Sebastian Stan’s remarkable performance illustrates Trump’s transition from an unsteady young individual to the controversial character known today. However, this portrayal oversimplifies Trump’s complex and contradictory roots—he is the descendant of a first-generation immigrant mother. The film suggests a substantial journey from his early years to his current persona, while in reality, being the son of Fred Trump meant he was steeped from an early age in his father’s discriminatory real estate practices. The claim that Cohn’s influence molded Trump overlooks this critical backdrop yet attempts to humanize figures like Fred Trump and Cohn, especially during Cohn’s battle with AIDS, which Trump’s ego refuses to acknowledge—a context explored extensively in The Atlantic regarding Trump’s racism through 2019.

Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Roy Cohn comes off as a Faustian figure, seemingly leading Trump into moral decay. Nevertheless, this reads as an evasive tactic, absolving Trump from accountability for his moral decline. The film sets up a false contrast between the “true aesthete” Cohn and the ostentatious Trump, when in reality, both possess deeply flawed characteristics.

Abbasi’s approach to connecting past and present often feels overt and forced. Instances like Roger Stone’s discussions about Trump’s presidential ambitions seem clumsy rather than a natural unfolding of character development. Mentioning Trump’s potential candidacy if he were financially broken is a key narrative that could have been more subtly portrayed. Moreover, the film lacks a pivotal moment that delineates Trump’s shift from a wealthy figure to a more sinister one; although a specific death catalyzes a change in him, the buildup to that event lacks depth.

We couldn’t think of a better endorsement @RealDonaldTrump. #TheApprentice is Now Playing in Theaters nationwide!https://t.co/syzMcmWReR pic.twitter.com/GBpM6AtCjk

— The Apprentice (@ApprenticeMov) October 14, 2024

Ironically, *The Apprentice* may unintentionally lend a semblance of humanity to Trump, potentially aiding his narrative despite his discontent with the film. By portraying his dubious development through the lens of external influences—which include his father and Cohn—the film positions Trump as a mere product of his circumstances rather than the architect of his own ethical downfalls. This aspect likely fuels Trump’s vehement criticisms, as he strives to uphold the illusion of being a self-made individual.

Ultimately, *The Apprentice* stands as a skillfully crafted film and serves as a compelling character study deserving of substantial award recognition for its stellar acting and Abbasi’s direction. However, it struggles to unravel the intricate layers of Trump’s foundational character, instead delivering a somewhat simplistic narrative that might contribute more to mythologizing than elucidating its subject, along with others like Fred Trump and Cohn, who arguably deserve no sympathy.

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