Wed Oct 16 05:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Trump Calls Biopic “The Apprentice” a “Hatchet Job” After Poor Box Office Performance
Former President Donald Trump has denounced the biopic “The Apprentice,” which depicts his rise to real estate fame in 1970s New York, as a “politically disgusting hatchet job” following its weak showing at the box office.
The film, which stars Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as his former lawyer Roy Cohn, opened to a dismal $1.5 million, finishing in tenth place. It was a far cry from expectations, with Variety predicting a weekend gross between $1 million and $3 million.
Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the film, calling it “FAKE and CLASSLESS” and questioning the filmmakers’ right to use the name “The Apprentice.” He alleged that the movie was released weeks before the election to damage his campaign and accused the filmmakers of “malicious defamation.”
Trump also took a swipe at the film’s portrayal of his relationship with his late ex-wife Ivana Trump, praising her as “kind and wonderful” and claiming a “great relationship” until her death in 2022.
Director Ali Abbasi responded to Trump on X, offering to speak further, while Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, threatened to sue the filmmakers. Despite the controversy and poor box office performance, the film received positive reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of Stan and Strong.
While the film’s performance was disappointing, it has sparked considerable debate. Some critics have argued that the film’s most chilling aspects are left offscreen, while others have defended its portrayal of Trump’s rise to power.
First Piper 