In what could be a major turning point in the political landscape, a highly controversial film about former President Donald Trump is set for release in the United States on October 11th, just weeks before the 2024 presidential election. Titled *The Apprentice*, this biopic explores Trump’s rise to power and delves into some of the most contentious and previously undisclosed aspects of his life. Despite attempts to block its release, the film is now poised to make a significant impact, and many believe it could sway public opinion in the final days of the election.
*The Apprentice*, starring prominent actors like Jeremy Strong, best known for his role as Kendall Roy in *Succession*, and Sebastian Stan, who portrays a younger Trump, has already generated significant buzz. The film had initially struggled to find a U.S. distributor due to legal threats from Trump’s team, who attempted to suppress its release by threatening defamation lawsuits. A particularly controversial scene, in which Trump is depicted as abusive toward his former wife Ivana Trump, is said to have caused major outrage from the Trump camp.
Months ago, it seemed like *The Apprentice* might not see the light of day in the U.S. However, according to a recent announcement, Briarcliff Entertainment, an American distributor, has acquired the rights and is moving forward with the release. The film, already screened at the Cannes Film Festival, is now scheduled for a U.S. and Canadian debut in mid-October.
Critics and observers alike are now bracing for the potential fallout. Trump’s legal team has been vocal, calling the movie a work of “pure fiction” that sensationalizes long-debunked claims. Yet, despite their attempts to prevent its release, the film’s producers maintain that it offers a “fair and balanced portrait” of the former president, allowing audiences to draw their own conclusions.
A key element in *The Apprentice* is its exploration of Trump’s relationship with Roy Cohn, a notorious political fixer and lawyer who played a crucial role in shaping Trump’s early career. Cohn, once a close associate of the infamous Senator Joseph McCarthy, is portrayed in the film by Jeremy Strong. Cohn’s unethical tactics and influence over Trump’s rise to power have long been subjects of speculation, and this film promises to bring them to the forefront in a highly dramatic fashion.
The timing of the film’s release has raised eyebrows, particularly given the proximity to the 2024 election. Many believe the film could deliver a blow to Trump’s campaign, especially if it succeeds in stirring public discussion about his past behavior and the forces that shaped him. Bill Maher, a vocal critic of Trump, has championed the film’s release, emphasizing that American voters deserve to see it before they cast their ballots. Maher has expressed frustration that the film had been available in other countries while being withheld in the U.S. during such a critical election cycle.
One of the last obstacles in the film’s path was a financial dispute with Kinematics, a company backed by Trump supporter Dan Snyder, former owner of the Washington Commanders NFL team. Snyder, reportedly furious over the film’s negative depiction of Trump, had been one of the financiers but has since exited the project. The dispute has been resolved, clearing the way for the film’s release, though it remains to be seen whether Trump will follow through with his threats of legal action.
Legal experts are skeptical that any lawsuits Trump files against the filmmakers will hold up in court. Defamation cases are notoriously difficult to win, especially when it involves a public figure like Trump. To succeed, Trump’s legal team would have to prove that the filmmakers knowingly spread false information with reckless disregard for the truth. Moreover, filing a lawsuit could open Trump up to a legal process called “discovery,” which would require him to provide testimony under oath and submit documents that could further embarrass him.
Trump’s recent history with lawsuits doesn’t inspire confidence in his chances of blocking the film’s release. For example, in a previous defamation suit against Hillary Clinton and other officials, Trump and his lawyer were ordered to pay nearly $1 million in fines for filing what was deemed a frivolous lawsuit. This precedent has led many to believe that any attempt to suppress *The Apprentice* through legal means will ultimately fail.
The film’s potential impact on the election is hard to predict, but with millions of people waiting to see Trump’s darkest secrets exposed on screen, it could be a game-changer. The release will come at a time when Trump is already dealing with multiple legal battles, including cases related to classified documents and accusations of fraud. His opponents are likely to use the film’s portrayal as further ammunition in their attacks on his character and fitness for office.
As the release date approaches, both Trump supporters and critics are preparing for what could be a pivotal moment in the campaign. While the former president has weathered countless scandals throughout his career, *The Apprentice* represents a new challenge: a highly publicized, star-studded film that seeks to peel back the layers of myth surrounding his rise to power and expose the man behind the carefully constructed image.
In the end, the American people will have the final say. Whether *The Apprentice* sways voters or becomes just another chapter in Trump’s long and controversial political saga remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: millions of eyes will be on the big screen come October 11th, waiting to see the secrets that Donald Trump has tried so hard to keep hidden.
