Donald Trump has come out swinging against the controversial new biopic The Apprentice, which features a disturbing scene alleging he violently assaulted his ex-wife Ivana Trump. In the film, which stars Sebastian Stan as Trump and Maria Bakalova as Ivana, Trump is shown forcefully throwing Ivana to the floor in a graphic portrayal based on her 1990 divorce deposition—a claim Ivana later recanted in 2015.
Trump broke his silence on the film’s content on Truth Social, dismissing it as “a FAKE and CLASSLESS movie” and accusing the filmmakers of attempting to sabotage his presidential campaign. “My former wife, Ivana, was a kind and wonderful person, and I had a great relationship with her until the day she died,” he wrote, calling the movie “cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting.”
The former president and his longtime ally, billionaire Dan Snyder, who had initially funded the project under the impression it would be more favorable, both tried to halt the film’s release with cease-and-desist letters. Their efforts proved unsuccessful, though the film’s opening weekend results—grossing only $1.58 million against a $16 million production budget—might lessen its impact. However, the film has managed to garner mostly positive reviews, with critics applauding the intense performances of Stan and Jeremy Strong, who plays Trump’s infamous lawyer Roy Cohn.
In a review, The New York Times described the film as “gleefully vulgar” and commended the actors for capturing the unsettling essence of Trump and Cohn. Yet, critics have also warned viewers of the film’s unflinching portrayal of Trump’s personal life, particularly moments like the controversial scene with Ivana that has drawn both outrage and praise for its raw delivery.
The backlash from Trump’s camp underscores the polarized reaction the film has stirred, as Trump’s defenders argue it’s an attempt to tarnish his legacy and derail his 2024 presidential bid. Still, critics contend that the film provides an unfiltered look at the man behind the myth, offering viewers a “startling portrayal of an American tragedy,” as The Times reviewer noted.
With Trump now publicly denouncing the film, The Apprentice has only gained more attention, setting the stage for a potential legal clash and amplifying the film’s spotlight as it edges toward awards season. Whether the biopic will live up to its divisive reputation or fade due to its lukewarm box office performance remains to be seen.