Over the years, many movies have been made about the lives of US presidents, with varying degrees of success. Some standouts include Lincoln, W., and Nixon. More recently, a 2024 film – surprisingly well-received – about Donald Trump was released, despite his attempts to keep it hidden. It’s now available to watch for free on Tubi.
The new biographical drama, The Apprentice, stars Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump during his rise as a New York real estate developer in the 1970s and 80s. The film, directed by Ali Abbasi (known for The Last of Us) and written by Gabriel Sherman, explores Trump’s relationship with his lawyer, Roy Cohn (played by Jeremy Strong). It offers a stark and honest portrayal of Trump’s early life, showing him as a deeply flawed, insecure, and ruthless person who prioritized success and image over ethical behavior.
Featuring Martin Donovan as Donald Trump’s father, Fred, Catherine McNally as his mother, Mary Anne, and Maria Bakalova as his first wife, Ivana, The Apprentice premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and was in contention for the Palme d’Or, though it ultimately lost to Anora. While the film didn’t perform well at the box office, earning back only a small portion of its budget, it received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. It currently boasts an 82% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an 84% audience score. Britt Hayes of MovieWeb described it as a film that “captures the essence of Donald Trump” and expanded on this in her review.
While Abbasi and Sherman struggle to find Trump’s relatable human qualities (and the thought that he might lack them is unsettling), they brilliantly capture what makes him unique as a public personality. Even more remarkably, The Apprentice manages to create a distinct emotional experience through the power of filmmaking.
Donald Trump and His Team Tried to Block ‘The Apprentice’ From Being Seen
Briarcliff Entertainment
Given that The Apprentice presents Donald Trump in a negative way, it’s understandable that he and his team attempted to prevent its release. His lawyers sent letters demanding the filmmakers stop all promotion, distribution, and showing of the movie. Additionally, Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, publicly dismissed the film as “garbage” in a 2024 statement to Variety and warned of potential lawsuits.
As a movie lover, I’m really disturbed by this new film – it’s full of completely false claims. Honestly, it feels like a deliberate attempt to spread old, debunked lies, and it’s particularly frustrating given the current political climate. It reminds me of those questionable Biden trials, and it just feels like a clear attempt by some in Hollywood to interfere with the upcoming election. They seem worried that President Trump might win, and they’re resorting to this kind of thing because everything else they’ve tried hasn’t worked. We’re taking legal action to fight back against these false narratives.
Trump publicly criticized the movie The Apprentice, calling it “fake,” “defamatory,” and “malicious.” However, he never actually sued the filmmakers. It seems his complaints were just bluster, likely because a lawsuit would have forced him to reveal evidence – and potentially disprove the film’s claims – during the legal process. Since he couldn’t have provided such evidence, a lawsuit never materialized.
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While The Apprentice might not be the greatest presidential biopic ever made, it’s a compelling and often disturbing look at a self-absorbed and ruthless man who lacks empathy. You can watch The Apprentice now on Tubi for free.
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2026-01-24 20:03