It finally happened. After years of rumors and a whole lot of legal posturing, we actually got a Donald Trump movie 2024. It’s called The Apprentice, and honestly, it’s not exactly the kind of flick that’s going to make everyone happy. If you were expecting a simple "we love him" or "we hate him" manifesto, you’re probably going to be surprised.
The film dropped right in the middle of a massive election year, which is basically the cinematic equivalent of throwing a lit match into a firework factory. It’s a gritty, grainy look at a version of New York City that doesn't really exist anymore—the 1970s and 80s—and it focuses on how a young, hungry Donald Trump became the man we see on the news every night.
What Really Happened With the Donald Trump Movie 2024?
Basically, the movie is an "origin story." Think of it like a superhero movie, but instead of a cape, the main character wears a lot of polyester and learns how to sue people. Directed by Ali Abbasi, the film stars Sebastian Stan—you probably know him as Bucky Barnes from the Marvel movies—as a young Trump. He’s joined by Jeremy Strong, who played Kendall Roy in Succession, as the infamous Roy Cohn.
Cohn is really the key here. He was this legendary, terrifying lawyer who basically took Trump under his wing.
The story follows three rules that Cohn supposedly taught Trump:
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- Attack, attack, attack.
- Admit nothing, deny everything.
- Always claim victory, even if you lose.
Watching Sebastian Stan transform is kinda wild. He doesn't just do an impression; he captures the way Trump’s voice and posture shifted over decades. He reportedly gained about 15 pounds for the role by eating a lot of ramen and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It’s a physical performance that starts with him as a somewhat awkward, striving "second son" and ends with him as the billionaire icon the world recognizes today.
The Controversy That Almost Killed It
You might’ve heard that this movie almost never saw the light of day. Trump’s legal team wasn't exactly thrilled. They sent a cease-and-desist letter to the filmmakers, calling the movie a "concoction of lies" and "election interference."
One of the big sticking points was a scene involving Trump and his first wife, Ivana (played by Maria Bakalova). It’s a very difficult scene to watch. It depicts a sexual assault based on a 1989 divorce deposition given by Ivana, though she later clarified her statement years later, saying she didn't mean it in a "literal or criminal sense." The filmmakers stuck by the scene, saying it was "meticulously researched."
There’s also a scene where the character undergoes liposuction and scalp-reduction surgery for hair loss. It’s graphic. It’s weird. It’s definitely not the kind of thing most politicians want on a big screen during an election cycle.
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Because of all this heat, major studios were scared to touch it. For a while, it looked like it might not even get a U.S. release. The producers actually had to launch a Kickstarter campaign just to help get the film into theaters. They ended up raising over $100,000 in less than 24 hours because, well, people were curious.
Why the Donald Trump Movie 2024 Still Matters
Despite the $16 million budget, the movie didn't exactly blow up the box office, making around $17 million worldwide. But its impact was more about the conversation it started. Critics mostly liked it, with many pointing to Jeremy Strong’s performance as Roy Cohn as an Oscar-worthy turn.
Honestly, the movie feels less like a political attack and more like a tragedy. It shows a man losing his soul as he gains the world. Whether you think that’s an accurate portrayal of the real Trump or just Hollywood fiction, it’s hard to deny that the film captures a specific, grimy era of American business.
Is It Worth Watching?
If you’re a political junkie, you’ve probably already seen it. If you’re just a movie fan, it’s worth it for the acting alone. Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong have this weird, toxic chemistry that’s fascinating to watch. Just don't expect a feel-good story. It’s a dark, often uncomfortable look at the American Dream through a very specific lens.
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If you're planning to check it out, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The Style: It’s shot to look like old 16mm film and VHS tapes. It's meant to feel like you're watching a "lost" documentary from the 80s.
- The Accuracy: Screenwriter Gabriel Sherman has covered Trump for decades. While some scenes are dramatized, much of the dialogue is pulled from real-life accounts and interviews.
- The Tone: It’s not a comedy, but it’s often darkly funny in a "did that really happen?" kinda way.
If you're looking for where to find it, the movie is now available on most digital VOD platforms like Amazon and Apple TV. You can also find various interviews with the cast where they talk about the intense pressure of playing such polarizing figures.
To get the most out of the experience, try watching it alongside some actual footage of Trump from the 1980s. It’s pretty striking to see where the real-life mannerisms and the acting meet. You might also want to look up the documentary Where's My Roy Cohn? to get the full, scary picture of the man who mentored the future president.